Rearview mirror assembly with utility functions

ABSTRACT

An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having a mirror casing and a support for mounting said mirror casing to a vehicle. The rearview mirror assembly further includes a retractable cord for use by an occupant of the vehicle for coupling to an accessory and which is adapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system via the housing to provide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system.

This application is a divisional application of application Ser. No.10/307,929, filed Dec. 2, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,284, by Barry W.Hutzel, Niall R. Lynam, Darryl P. DeWind, and John O'Lindahl, entitledAN INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM INCLUDING A PENDENT ACCESSORY, whichis a divisional application Ser. No. 09/585,379, filed on Jun. 1, 2000,by Barry W. Hutzel, Niall R. Lynam, Darryl P. DeWind, and JohnO'Lindahl, entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS, nowabandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/449,121, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,428,172, which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rearview assembly and, morespecifically, to an interior rearview mirror assembly for use invehicles incorporating utility functions, such as storage space forholding or housing various accessories.

Until recently, rearview mirror assemblies have been used primarily forrear vision. More recently, electronic, electric and various additionalfunctional features have been added to the rearview mirror assembly, forexample map reading lights, reflective elements with displays, controlsfor actuating garage doors, or the like, which have consumed much of theavailable space in the interior rearview mirror assembly.

However, with the advent of electro-optic mirrors, such aselectrochromic mirrors, a new generation of rearview mirrors hasafforded the possibility of a slim reflector package. Since a day/nightactuator mechanism is no longer needed in such mirrors, the size of thereflective element assembly is defined by the thickness of theelectrochromic mirror element and by its associated electronics therebyincreasing the amount of available space in the interior rearview mirrorassembly.

In addition, today drivers and occupants of the vehicle engage in moreand more non-driving activities, such as telephone conversations, notetaking, remote transactions, and the like. As a result, many of theseactivities take the driver's attention away from the front of thevehicle because the activity involves the driver looking to locations inthe vehicle remote from the windshield, typically, for example on thedashboard of the vehicle. While note pad holders have been devised toattach to the windshield, by suction cups or the like, these holdersoften hamper or obstruct the view through the windshield and may comeloose or detach. As a result, the driver of the vehicle may have anobstructed view.

Also, when exiting the vehicle or when driving conditions change adriver or vehicle occupant often removes eyeglasses or sunglasses. Afterremoving the eyeglasses or sunglasses, the driver or occupant typicallyseeks a storage place where the glasses may be left and readilyretrieved for later use. Again, when the driver engages in suchactivities while driving, these activities often draw the driver's eyesaway from the front of the vehicle thus distracting the driver.

Over time, the location of interior rearview mirror assemblies have notsignificantly changed. As a result, interior rearview mirror assembliesare mounted in a location in the vehicle that is a known entity.Furthermore, since interior rearview mirror assemblies are typicallycentrally located within the vehicle, they are a great location formounting various accessories. From an automaker's point of view, theinterior rearview mirror assembly is an ideal location because it doesnot require the driver of the vehicle to relearn its location and,furthermore, it does not consume the automaker's space for basic vehiclesystems and functions.

Consequently, there is a need to optimize the available space in avehicle for storing and locating objects and accessories, such assunglasses, flashlights, map holders, writing surfaces, pen holders andthe like, and, furthermore, to provide accessories in a location that iseasy to reach but which does not cause the driver of the vehicle toredirect his or her eyes far from the front of the vehicle, thusminimizing or eliminating the driver's distraction. In addition, it isdesirable that the space which is used to store or locate these objectsand accessories does not obstruct the driver's view or consume theautomaker's space for basic vehicle systems and functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior rearview mirror assembly,which includes one or more storage spaces for storing, locating orholding objects and/or accessories all in a manner that provides quickand easy access to the objects or accessories without displacing othercomponents or consuming valuable automaker space, such as in thedashboard of the vehicle.

In one form of the invention, an interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle includes a casing, which includes a reflective element, and astorage space provided at the casing. The mirror assembly furtherincludes a dockable accessory, which is insertable into and retrievablefrom the storage space whereby the dockable accessory can be docked inthe storage space and yet is accessible to an occupant of the vehicle sothat the occupant can remove the dockable accessory from the storagespace and use the dockable accessory independently of the rearviewmirror assembly.

In one aspect, the storage space is provided in the casing. In furtheraspects, the dockable accessory comprises a light assembly. The lightassembly includes a light assembly housing and at least one lightsource, which is positioned in the housing. The light source isactuatable when the light assembly is removed from the storage space sothat the light assembly can be used independently from the interiorrearview mirror assembly, for example, as a flashlight. The lightassembly optionally includes a switch, which provides actuation of thelight source when the light assembly is removed from the mirror casing.

In other aspects, the casing includes an opening, which is incommunication with the storage space. The light source is preferablyactuatable when the light assembly is docked in the storage spacewhereby the light assembly is adapted to project light though theopening to provide a light source when the dockable accessory is dockedin the storage space so that the light assembly may be used as a mirrorassembly light, such as a map illumination light. In further aspects,the casing includes a reflector, which is positioned in the storagespace for directing light from the light assembly through the openingwhen the light assembly is in the storage space and the light source isactuated to provide a light pattern. Preferably, the casing includes aswitch for actuating the light source of the light assembly when thelight assembly is docked in the casing. Optionally, the casing includesa cover over the opening, for example an optical lens for projectinglight from the light assembly in a light pattern.

In yet further aspects, the light assembly includes a light assemblyhousing having a transparent portion, at least one light source fordirecting light through the transparent portion, and a light assemblyvoltage supply. The light source is electrically coupled to the lightassembly voltage supply by a first drive circuit. Optionally, the casingof the interior rearview mirror assembly includes a second drive circuithaving a casing switch. The second drive circuit is adapted to couple toa vehicle-based power supply and is adapted to recharge the voltagesupply of the light assembly. Preferably, the second drive circuit isadapted to electrically decouple from the light source whereby the lightassembly is actuated by the light assembly voltage supply independentlyof the vehicle-based power supply.

According to another aspect, the first drive circuit includes a lightassembly switch for actuating the light source when the light assemblyis retrieved from the storage space so that the light assembly may beused as, for example, a flashlight independently from the interiorrearview mirror assembly. Preferably, the second drive circuit isadapted to override the switch logic of the first drive circuit andactuate the light source in the light assembly in accordance with asecond switch logic of the second drive circuit when the light assemblyis docked or positioned in the storage space. For example, when thelight assembly is removed from the rearview mirror assembly, the lightassembly's drive circuit switch will determine whether the light sourceis on or off. However, when the light assembly is docked in the interiorrearview mirror assembly, the mirror assembly drive circuit switch willdetermine whether the light source is on or off rather than the lightassembly drive circuit switch. So if the light source in the lightassembly is on when it is returned for storage to the mirror casing andthe mirror casing switch is in the off-position, the light source willturn off once it is docked in the mirror case. Similarly, if the lightsource in the light assembly is off and the mirror casing switch is inthe on-position, the light source will turn on when the light assemblyis docked in the mirror casing.

In yet other aspects, the light source comprises a solid state lightsource. Preferably, the light assembly includes a plurality of solidstate light sources, such as a plurality of light emitting diodes,including at least one white light emitting diode and, preferably, aplurality of white light emitting diodes. Preferably, the light emittingdiodes are connected in series.

In still further aspects, the voltage supply preferably comprises one ofa battery and a capacitor, and, more preferably, a battery, and, mostpreferably, a rechargeable battery. In which case, the interior rearviewmirror assembly preferably includes a recharge drive circuit adapted torecharge the rechargeable battery preferably when the light assembly isdocked in the storage space.

According to another form of the invention, an interior rearview mirrorassembly includes a casing having a reflective element. The casingincludes a storage space, which provides storage capacity for holding atleast one workpiece for storing the workpiece in a location accessibleby an occupant of the vehicle whereby the workpiece can be inserted intoor removed from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle.The storage space includes a variable engagement element for engagingthe workpiece so that the storage space can hold a plurality ofworkpieces having varying dimensions.

In one form, the storage space includes a resilient member, whichprovides the variable engagement element. For example, the resilientmember may comprise an elastomeric member, which compresses when aworkpiece is inserted in the storage space thereby applying aspring-like force to the workpiece to hold the workpiece.

In other aspects, the resilient member comprises at least one flexiblefinger, which deflects and applies a spring-like force to the workpieceto hold the workpiece when the workpiece is inserted into the storagespace.

In yet other aspects, the storage space includes a pair of spaced apartmembers for frictionally holding the workpiece therebetween, therebyproviding the variable engagement element. For example, at least one ofthe spaced apart members may include a stepped surface defining aplurality of engagement surfaces for holding one of a plurality ofworkpieces having a range of dimensions.

In one preferred aspect, the casing includes a bezel portion, whichincludes the storage space, for example the storage space may be moldedwith the bezel portion.

In another form of the invention, an interior rearview mirror assemblyfor a vehicle includes a casing, a reflective element located in thecasing, and a casing support. The casing support includes a mountingbracket for mounting the casing to a vehicle. The casing or the supportincludes a storage space for holding at least one accessory therein,which is movable to and from the storage space by an occupant of thevehicle for use of the accessory.

In one aspect, the accessory comprises a pendent accessory. For example,the pendent accessory may include an element, such as a reflectiveelement or a display element. Preferably, the pendent accessory furtherincludes an accessory housing, which supports the element.

In further aspects, the accessory housing is supported from the casingby a pendent support. The accessory housing is preferably pivotallymounted to the pendent support to permit repositioning of the elementabout at least a vertical axis for viewing by an occupant of thevehicle.

In yet other aspects, the pendent accessory is pivotal from a viewingposition to a stored position in the storage space. Preferably, thecasing includes a recessed portion, which defines the storage space. Forexample, the recessed portion may be positioned at a bottom wall of thecasing. Preferably, the pendent accessory includes an accessory housing,which has an outer surface that generally follows the contour of thecasing when the pendent accessory is moved to the storage space tominimize the distraction to the driver.

According to yet another form of the invention, an interior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having a mirror casing,which includes a reflective element, and a support for mounting themirror casing to a vehicle. The housing further includes a retractablecord, for coupling an accessory, such as a phone, a computer, a faxmachine, or the like, to a vehicle system to provide a link between theaccessory and the vehicle system.

In further aspects, the retractable cord includes a coupler for couplingto the accessory. In another aspect, the retractable cable includes atleast one electrical wire and/or at least one fiber-optic cable.Preferably, the cable comprises a universal serial bus cable.

Advantages provided by the present invention include a high mountedstorage location which is easily accessible to an occupant of thevehicle and which stores a plurality of accessories, which can form apart of the interior mirror assembly or can provide a separate functionor both. In addition, by incorporating the storage space into aninterior rearview mirror assembly the distraction caused by retrievalfrom or placement into the storage space is minimized as the effort oraction to retrieve or store is equivalent to the action of adjusting theposition of the rearview. Further, the location of the storage space isnot readily discernible from the outside of the vehicle enhancing thesecurity of the vehicle.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of theinvention will become more apparent from the study of the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the rearview mirror assembly for avehicle of the present invention showing an interior rearview mirrorassembly in a viewing position in a front windshield of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of the assembly of FIG. 1 taken alongline II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 1, with portions broken away, illustrating a pendent accessory inan extended position;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 3illustrating the pendent accessory moved to a second orientation;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the mirror assembly ofFIG. 4, with the pendent accessory positioned in a third orientation;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end perspective view of the mirror assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 1 illustrating the pendentaccessory of FIG. 3 in a partially retracted position within the mirrorassembly housing;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a portion of theexterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1, with the pendent accessoryfully retracted within the housing;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating therearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1 with a display screen adjacent thereflective element;

FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 8A illustrating the rearview mirrorassembly with a pair of display screens;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an interior rearview mirror similar to FIG.1 illustrating the mirror housing incorporating a flashlight assembly;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the mirror of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the mirror subassemblyof FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a partial rear exploded perspective view of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the rearviewmirror assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating a recessed storage space forsupporting or holding accessories;

FIG. 15A is a partial fragmentary view taken along line XVA-XVA of FIG.15;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of an insert module forinserting into the mirror assembly casing of FIG. 15 defining therecessed storage space;

FIG. 16A is an enlarged perspective view of a removable insert forinserting into the storage space of the mirror assembly casing of FIGS.15 and 16;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 1 illustrating a storage space within the mirrorassembly housing;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the interiorrearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating a flashlight assemblymodule mounted to a first storage space and a second storage space witha clip for holding an accessory and a third storage space for holdingother accessories;

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the mirrorassembly of FIG. 1 illustrating a workpiece holder and a writing padholder incorporated into the housing of the rearview mirror assemblyand, further, with two map or dash board light assemblies;

FIG. 21 is a front exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment ofa mirror assembly similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a slotted storage spacefor holding an accessory holder, such as a writing pad holder;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the interiorrearview mirror assembly incorporating a pad and pencil holder into amirror mounting bracket;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the paper and pencil holder of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of thepaper and pencil holder;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of a ninth embodiment of therearview mirror assembly of the present invention illustrating a storagespace for holding and dispensing coins, a 12-volt supply, and an airfreshener dispenser;

FIG. 26 is a front view of another embodiment of the interior rearviewmirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1-8;

FIG. 27 is a top perspective partial fragmentary view of the interiorrearview mirror assembly of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a partial front view of a third embodiment of the interiorrearview mirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 illustrating apivotally mounted pendent accessory;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of the pendent accessory housingof FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is another embodiment of the rearview mirror assemblyillustrated in FIGS. 15, 15A, and 16;

FIG. 30A is a forward elevation view of the mirror assembly of FIG. 30;

FIG. 31 is a partial rear exploded perspective view of a secondembodiment of the mirror assembly of FIGS. 9-14;

FIG. 32 is a partial rear exploded perspective view of a thirdembodiment of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIGS. 9-14;

FIG. 33 is a partial rear exploded perspective view of a thirdembodiment of the mirror assembly of FIGS. 9-14;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment of an interiorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is an enlarged partial fragmentary view of the passenger side ofthe interior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the passenger sideof the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 34 illustrating a lightmodule removed from the interior rearview mirror assembly casing;

FIG. 37 is a schematic view of a drive circuit for a fixed position maplight assembly of the interior rearview mirror assembly of FIGS. 34-36;

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of a drive circuit for the light module;

FIG. 39 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the drive circuitfor a switchless light module;

FIG. 40 is a third embodiment of a drive circuit for the light module ofthe present invention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment of the interiorrearview mirror of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a bottom perspective view of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 41 illustrating a pendent accessory in an extended orviewing position;

FIG. 43A is a perspective view of the pendent accessory of FIGS. 41 and42 illustrating a pivot support for the accessory;

FIG. 43B is a similar view to FIG. 43A illustrating a second embodimentof a pendent accessory;

FIG. 44 is a twentieth embodiment of the interior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention incorporating a workpiece holder;

FIG. 45A is an enlarged view of the workpiece holder of FIG. 44;

FIG. 45B is a similar view to FIG. 45A of a second embodiment of theworkpiece holder;

FIG. 45C is a similar view to FIG. 45A of a third embodiment of theworkpiece holder; and

FIG. 46 is a schematic view of an improved electronic conversationsystem of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a firstembodiment of the interior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention. Assembly 10 is adapted to be releasably secured or coupled tothe front windshield W of a vehicle in a conventional manner.Alternatively, assembly 10 can be adapted to secure or couple to theheader portion of the vehicle above the windshield, as is known in theart. Assembly 10 includes a mirror casing or housing 12 and a reflectiveelement 14 which is supported in or on casing 12 in a conventionalmanner. Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, mirrorassembly 10 is mounted to windshield W by a support arm 16 and abreak-away mounting bracket or mirror mount 17 which releasably mountsto a conventional mirror button on windshield W. Preferably support arm16 is a conventional double ball type support arm which permits multiaxis positioning of casing 12 about bracket 17. It should be understoodthat any suitable type of support arm may be employed for supportingmirror subassembly 10 within the vehicle, for example a single ballmount support or the like. In addition, break-away mounting bracket 17may take one of several forms, such as those described and shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,820,097; 5,615,857; 5,330,149; 5,100,095; or 4,936,533; thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

Mirror casing or housing 12 is preferably molded from a resinous plasticmaterial, such as an engineering polymer material, for example a fiberreinforced nylon plastic or an ABS plastic, or a polypropylene or othersimilar thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Mirror casing 12preferably includes a front bezel or bezel portion 12 a, which extendsaround a rearward facing opening 12 a′ (FIG. 2) of casing 12 and arounda peripheral portion of reflective element 14. As used in thisapplication, the terms rearward facing and forward facing are used todefine directions relative to a vehicle when the mirror assembly ismounted in the vehicle. “Rearward facing” means the object is facing tothe rear of the vehicle towards the driver and occupants of the vehicle.“Forward facing” means that it is facing forward of the vehicle towardsthe windshield and so is typically (but not always) not substantiallyvisible to the driver. Bezel 12 a, which is formed separately fromcasing 12, is preferably molded from a resinous plastic material similarto casing 12. It should be understood that casing 12 may include aretaining rim in lieu of separate bezel 12 a.

Rear surface 13 of casing 12 includes a recessed area 13 a in which isdisposed a mounting boss 15 and a ball member 15 a on which support arm16 is mounted to enable the mirror assembly 10 to be releasably securedvia bracket 17 to the vehicle windshield. Alternately, casing 12 mayinclude a socket for receiving a ball member from support arm 16.Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,742 for one example of apreferred break-away mounting. Another example of such a coupling isdisclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,095 to Haan et al. Analternate method of securing support 16 is by attaching support 16 to aheader, for example of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,487,522;5,615,857; or 5,671,996; which are commonly assigned to DonnellyCorporation, and which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,522 discloses a mirror support bracketand illustrates a bracket which can be used on either a header orwindshield mounted mirror assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, aconventional mounting button is adhered to the windshield surface by alayer of conventionally known metal to glass adhesives, such aspolyvinyl butyral available from Monsanto Company of St. Louis, Mo. orby a silicone adhesive or the like.

Reflective element 14 preferably comprises a variable reflectanceelement, such as an electro-optic element. In most preferred form,reflective element 14 comprises an electrochromic mirror element, forexample one of several types of electrochromic mirror elements, such asan element of the electrochemichromic type which is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,140,455, or the solid-state type such as disclosed in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,879, U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,854, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/238,521, filed May 5, 1994, by Varaprasadet al. now U.S. Pat. No. 5,668,663, all commonly assigned with thepresent application to Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich., thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties. Other suitable electrochromic elements and/or mirrorreflector elements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,151,816, 5,142,407,6,305,807, 6,210,008, and 6,196,688, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Mirror assembly 10 may house a plurality of electrical or electronicdevices, such as antennas, including global positioning system (GPS) orcellular phone antennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552,and pending U.S. Pat. application entitled COMPLETE MIRROR-BASEDGLOBAL-POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) NAVIGATION SOLUTION, Ser. No.60/187,960, filed Mar. 9, 2000, communication modules or systems, suchas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, and copending U.S. Pat.application entitled VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY COMMUNICATING WIRELESSLYWITH VEHICLE ACCESSORIES AND OCCUPANTS, Ser. No. 60/199,676, filed Apr.21, 2000, displays such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,240 or in U.S.application Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,172,613, and application entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH ADDEDFEATURE MODULAR DISPLAY, Ser. No. 09/448,700, filed Nov. 24, 1999, byTimothy Skiver et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,925, blind spot detectionsystems, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,786 or 5,786,772,transmitters and/or receivers, such as garage door openers, a digitalnetwork, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093, a memorymirror system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, and U.S.Pat. application entitled MEMORY MIRROR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, Ser. No.09/572,008, filed May 16, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,905, ahands-free phone attachment, a video device for internal cabinsurveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, maplights, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745;5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; or 5,178,448, microphones, such asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/361,814, filed Jul. 27,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,642; Ser. No. 09/396,179, filed Sep. 14,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,377; and Ser. No. 09/199,907, filed Nov.25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,717,610, speakers, a compass, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,212, seat occupancy detector, a tripcomputer, an ONSTAR System or the like, with all of the above referencedpatents and applications commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

Referring to FIG. 2, mirror assembly 10 preferably includes a circuitboard 18, which includes electronic or electrical circuitry foractuating the variable reflectance of reflective element 14 and foroperating other electrical or electronic functions supported in rearviewassembly 10. Circuit board 18 may support, for example, light emittingdiodes (LEDs) for illuminating indicia on display elements 12 b, 12 c or12 c′ provided on chin of bezel 12 a or display areas provided onreflective element 14, or map or dash board lights 540, 542 (shown inFIG. 20). Circuit board 18 may be independently supported fromreflective element 14 or in casing 12 or may be mounted to reflectiveelement's rear surface 14 a on a separate plate or may be directlyadhered to the rear surface by a suitable adhesive. Reference is made toU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,996 and 5,820,245, the disclosures of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Though theillustrated embodiment illustrates the displays and/or buttons providedat the chin of the mirror housing bezel 12 a, it should be understoodthat one or more of these buttons or displays may be located elsewhereon the mirror assembly or separately in a module, for example of thetype disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING VEHICLE INFORMATIONDISPLAY, filed by Jonathon E. DeLine and Niall R. Lynam, which isassigned to Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich., now U.S. Pat. No.6,172,613, and may comprise the touch-sensitive displays as disclosed inU.S. Pat. application entitled INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVIEW SYSTEM,Ser. No. 60/192,721, filed Mar. 27, 2000, the disclosures of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Note that buttoninputs can be provided along the lower bezel region of the interiormirror assembly such that, when actuated, a display appears within themirror reflector region of the mirror reflective element. Preferably,the display appears local to the physical location of the particularbutton accessed by the driver or vehicle occupant (typically,immediately above it) so that the person accessing the mirror associatesthe appearance and information of the display called up by thatindividual button with the user's actuation of the button. Multipleactuations of that button can cause the display to scroll throughvarious menu items/data displays, allowing the user to access a widerange of information. The button and associated circuitry can be adaptedto recognize when a particular menu item is desired selected (such asholding down a particular input button for longer than a prescribedperiod, for example longer than about 1 second or longer than about 2seconds or the like; if the button is held down for less than theprescribed period, the display scrolls to the next menu item).Preferably, whatever information is being displayed is displayed by asubstantially reflecting and substantially transmittingreflective/transmissive reflector of the mirror reflective element suchas the display on demand constructions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,724,187 titled “Electrochromic Mirrors and Device” to Varaprasad etal. of Donnelly Corporation, issued Mar. 3, 1998, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring to FIG. 3, casing 12 includes a storage space which isprovided by a cavity or recess 20 formed in bottom wall 22 of casing 12.Mounted in cavity 20 is a pendent accessory 24, which is preferablymounted in cavity 20 for movement between a fully retracted position(FIG. 8), in which a lower surface 24 a of pendent accessory 24generally follows the contour of casing 12 and is preferablysubstantially flush with a lower outer surface 22 a of lower wall 22 ofcasing 12, and an extended position. In the illustrated embodiment,pendent accessory 24 is mounted in cavity 20 on an extendible supportarm 26 so that dependent accessory 24 may be moved between its retractedand extended positions. For example, support arm 26 may comprise anextendable jack arm or spring-loaded telescoping arm or the like such asis known in the art. As best seen in FIG. 6, support arm 26 includes aball joint 34 which extends into a receiving structure 36, for example asocket structure, provided in housing 28. In this manner, displayaccessory 24 is pivotally mounted to support arm 26 to permitrepositioning of the display accessory about ball 34. Thus, pendentaccessory 24 can be repositioned for easy access or viewing by thedriver of the vehicle or by a passenger of the vehicle other than thedriver. While in the illustrated embodiment pendent accessory 24 isillustrated as being positioned offset from the center of mirror case,it should be understood that pendent accessory 24 may be centrallylocated or located on a side of the case. Also, while illustrated in theFigures as an accessory that extends downwards from the bottom of therearview mirror assembly (i.e. towards the vehicle floor) when mountedin the vehicle, a pendent accessory can extend upwards from the top ofthe mirror assembly (i.e. towards the vehicle roof area) or sideways(i.e. towards the vehicle side) from either end of casing 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, pendent accessory 24 includes a housing 28 andan element 30, which is positioned in a rearward facing opening 32 ofhousing 28. Element 30 may comprise a reflective element or mirror (suchas a flat, compound curvature, aspheric or convex mirror reflector) foruse by an occupant of the vehicle as a vanity mirror or as a mirror toview rear seat passengers, such as a baby in a baby seat. Alternately,pendent accessory 24 can form a viewing screen for a baby minder system,such as the vehicle interior monitoring system described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,877,897 and 5,760,962 or the rear vision system described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/361,814 filed Jul. 27, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,201,642; Ser. No. 09/199,907, filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,717,610; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613, filed Nov. 4, 1999, entitled VEHICLE INTERIORMIRROR ASSEMBLY to Patrick Heslin and Niall R. Lynam, all of which areincorporated by reference in their entireties herein. An interiorsurveillance system permits the driver of the vehicle to observebehavior or the activities of babies or children or other passengersseated in the rear seat. This is especially advantageous when the childor baby is in a rearward facing car seat, where the child or baby wouldordinarily not be visible. For example, a camera, such as a CMOS or CCDcamera, can be mounted to view the rear seat area of the vehicle so thatthe driver can view what is occurring, such as in a rear seat mountedbaby seat or with a rear seat passenger, such as a child. Preferably, toenable viewing of the rear seat occupant or occupants even by night, thetarget field of view of the camera may be illuminated in a manner thatprovides adequate visibility for the camera to discern what is occurringin the rear seat in a darkened vehicle cabin but not illuminating in amanner that causes glare, distraction, and/or discomfort to any vehicleoccupants, including the driver and/or rear seat passengers. Forexample, such a rear seat monitoring camera illumination is preferablyachieved using directed low level non-incandescent light sources, suchas light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic or inorganic light emittingmaterial, electroluminescent sources, and the like. Most preferably suchnon-incandescent sources are low power and are directed low intensitysources, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,321 and applicationentitled INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE INCORPORATING ASOLID-STATE LIGHT SOURCE, Ser. No. 09/287,926, filed Apr. 7, 1999, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,139,172, which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. The baby minder camera may be mounted as a part of therearview mirror assembly and, most preferably, may be mounted as a partof a header, including a front header of a roof or a rear header of aroof. It may be desirable to mount a baby minder camera to the rearheader of a roof when it is desirable to view rear facing child supportseats. Most preferably, a plurality of at least two, more preferably atleast four, and most preferably at least six LEDs (or similar low level,directed, low-current light sources such as electroluminescent sourcesand organic light emitting sources) are mounted with a camera (such asto form a ring around the camera) with the light projected from theindividual LEDs directed to be substantially coincident with the camerafield of view and to illuminate the target area desired to be viewed.The LEDs being directed low level sources will not glare or causediscomfort to occupants when illuminated. Further, camera illuminationsources can be illuminated whenever the ignition switch is on to operatethe vehicle or at least when the ignition switch is placed in an“accessory on” position so that both the camera and illumination lightsare operating on vehicle battery power even when parked. Alternately,the illumination lights can be operational only when the baby mindercamera is selected to be operational. While it is preferred to usenon-incandescent lights, incandescent light sources can be used, mostpreferably high intensity, low current incandescent light sources. Forexample, when the camera is activated to view the rear seat or to view ababy seat or the like, the dome light in the vehicle, which typicallycomprises an incandescent light source, can illuminate so that the rearseat area is illuminated to assist visibility for the camera. A circuitor other device can be provided that illuminates the dome light (or asimilar rear seat-illuminating interior light source such as a rail lampor the like) whenever the camera is selected to view the rear seat.Optionally, the dome light or similar interior light within the interiorcabin, once caused to illuminate when the camera is activated, can ceaseto illuminate after a determined time interval (such as 5 seconds or tenseconds or longer) under the control of a timeout circuit or device. Byproviding a timeout, the driver can selectively view the status ofpassengers in the rear seat of the vehicle by selecting a baby-mindercamera or similar rear seat viewing function (such as by voice command,user-operated switch or the like). Upon selection of the camerafunction, whatever is being viewed on the video screen in the vehiclemay be interrupted (or superimposed over or the like), the interiorlight in the cabin (such as the dome light) will illuminate, a timeoutwill initiate, and the driver (or other front-seat occupant) can viewthe rear seat status for the duration of the timeout. Once the timeoutelapses, the interior light ceases to illuminate, and preferably, thecamera ceases to be activated and the video screen reverts to itspre-event status.

Optionally and desirably, any video screen used in the vehicle, andparticularly mirror-mounted video screens, and especially when usingliquid crystal display technology, are equipped with contrastenhancement/anti-glare elements to reduce display wash-out from glareduring high ambient light conditions such as at noon on a sunny day. Forexample, a Trivium Diodic Lens can be used, as available from TriviumTechnologies of Cleveland, Ohio that uses passive polymer thin filmtechnology.

Alternately, element 30 may comprise an information display element, inwhich element 30 conveys information to the vehicle operator and/orother occupants of the vehicle or may be a video screen or the like. Forexample, the information may include information relating to navigationor guidance systems, such as described in U.S. Pat. application entitledVEHICLE BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNITHOME-BASE REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE,Ser. No. 09/561,023, filed Apr. 28, 2000, by Eugenie V. Uhlmann et al.,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,308, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example, pendentaccessory 24 may comprise a personal communication device, such as aPALM organizer or the like, including a video screen, preferably a touchsensitive video screen such as PALM Pilot™ such as is available from3COM, Corp. or the like, which is adapted for input by the touch of ahuman finger or stylus. In which case, as described in reference to thefollowing embodiments, assembly 10 may include an accessory attachmentmember, for example such as attachment member 532 (FIG. 20), 756, (FIG.24), for holding a stylus pen which interacts with pendent assembly 24.Optionally, the stylus is tethered to the mirror assembly, for example acoiled tether or a retractable tether or by other conventional means.

Display element 30 may perform a single display function or multipledisplay functions, such as providing indication of an additional vehiclefunction or functions, for example a compass mirror display function, atemperature display function, a tire pressure/status display function, astatus of inflation of tires display function, computer displayincluding e-mails and INTERNET access, a passenger air bag disableddisplay function, an automatic rain sensor operation display function,telephone dial information display function, highway status informationdisplay function, blind spot indicator display function, or the like.Such displays may be an alpha-numeric display or a multipixel display,and may be fixed or scrolling. In addition, display element 30 maycomprise a television screen and/or video screen. Display element 30 maycomprise a generally planar element or may comprise a convex element.Alternately, display element 30 may be separately formed and includetabs or receiving structures on either side adapted to fit withinreceiving structures or tabs, respectively, formed in the insidesurfaces of housing 26 for assembly after molding of housing 26.

Pendent accessory 24 optionally includes a second circuit board 31 (FIG.3), which is typically mounted adjacent and behind display element 30,which supports light emitting sources, such as light emitting diodes toprovide back lighting of display element 30. Light emitting diodesprovide low level non-incandescent white light for illuminating indiciaon display element 30. However, it should be understood that other LEDsproviding light and colors other than white, such as amber, red, blue,yellow, green, orange or the like may be used. Alternately, other lightemitting elements can be used to display information on display element30, such as incandescent displays, vacuum fluorescent displays,electro-illuminescent displays, light emitting diode displays, cathoderay tube displays, field emission displays, E-ink displays, or organicemitting polymer displays or the like. Examples of displays may be foundin copending application entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATINGVEHICLE INFORMATION, Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, byJonathan DeLine and Niall R. Lynam, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, or U.S.Pat. No. 5,530,240, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467,filed Nov. 4, 1999, entitled VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY to PatrickHeslin and Niall R. Lynam, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613, commonlyassigned to Donnelly Corporation, which are herein incorporated byreference in their entireties. In addition, display element 30 maycomprise a touch-sensitive display, such as described in U.S. Pat.application entitled INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVIEW SYSTEM, Ser. No.60/192,721, filed Mar. 27, 2000. Alternately, circuit board 31 may alsoshare components and provide circuitry for other electrical componentsin mirror assembly 10, thus eliminating the need for mounting suchcircuitry within the rearview mirror assembly housing itself.

As noted previously, pendent accessory 24 may also incorporate anin-vehicle train approaching warning system. Such a train approachingwarning system alerts the driver of the vehicle of the eminent arrivalof a train at a railroad crossing. Such a warning system can activateaudible and/or visual alarms in the vehicle if a train is approaching.Such train warning displays may override any existing displays so thatthe driver is fully alert to any potential hazard. One suitable traincontrol system is described in U.S. Pat. application entitled VEHICLEBASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNITHOME-BASE REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE,Ser. No. 09/561,023, filed Apr. 28, 2000, by Eugenie V. Uhlmann et al.,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,308 the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Vehicle to road-sidecommunication antennas can be attached to railroad signs, crossingbarriers, and the like and can transmit to antennas mounted in thevehicle located such as within assembly 10 or within an interior cabintrim item or side exterior rearview mirror assembly. One such track sidecommunication system is available from Dynamic Vehicle Safety Systems ofAmarillo, Tex., which detects signals from trains approaching a crossingand transmits these signals along the road to forewarn of a railroadcrossing ahead.

It is also possible to incorporate low level console or instrumentationlighting for vehicles in assembly 10 by fitting a low levelnon-incandescent light emitting light source such as a light emittingdiode for illuminating an instrument panel or console as disclosed incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,996, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference. In this embodiment, a singleinstrument light 13 may be provided on an opposed end of mirror casing12 and may include a variety of emitting sources such as high intensityamber and reddish orange light emitting diode sources, such as solidstate light emitting diode (LED) sources utilizing double hydro junctionAIGaAs/GaAs Material Technology such as very high intensity red (LED)lamps T/1 (5 mm) HLMP-4100/4101 available from Hewlett PackardCorporation of Pallo Alto, Calif., or transparent substrate aluminumindium gallium phosphide (AlInGaP) Material Technology, commerciallyavailable from Hewlett Packard Corporation, of Pallo Alto, Calif. Also,blue or white LEDs can be used or a combination of individual differentcolored diodes can be used with the color mixing therefrom to form adesired color. Optionally, a plurality of LEDs such as a cluster offour, six, eight or the like LEDs can be used to target and illuminate alocal area for higher illumination at that area, such as may be usefulin a map light (most preferably illuminating the target area with whitelight). The concepts of this present invention can be used with otherinterior rearview mirror assemblies which are equipped with a variety offeatures and accessories, such as a home access transmitter, a high/low(or daylight running beam/low) headlamp controller, a hands free phoneattachment, a video device, such as a video camera for internal cabinsurveillance and/or video telephone function, a remote keyless entryreceiver, a compass, a seat occupancy detection, multiple readinglights, a trip computer, an intrusion detector, and the like. Displayelement 30 may also include a compass/temperature and a clock display,fuel level display, and other vehicle status and other informationdisplays.

As it would be understood by those skilled in the art, the electricallyoperated display and other devices optionally provided in pendentaccessory 24 are conveniently connected to the electrical system of thevehicle in which the present invention is mounted via electrical wiring31 a (FIG. 3). The use of pendent accessory 24 with display element 30comprising the instant invention in conjunction with electricallyoperated interior rearview mirrors has the further advantage ofpermitting electrical coupling of the display element to the powersupply of the vehicle by the pre-existing wire harnesses serving therearview mirror. Thus, the electrical coupling of the display elementcan be by direct connection with the existing wire harness or inparallel through an adapter plug. This particularly facilitates aretrofit such as might occur as in the after-market or at a dealershipthat is a result of an option selection. Alternately, the interiormirror assembly can include a vehicle power socket, connected to thevehicle ignition system or battery electrical system, (such as thecigarette lighter type socket conventional on many automobile) intowhich other accessories can be plugged (such as in FIG. 25). Forexample, a “cigarette-lighter” type of socket can be provided at therear or at the bottom of the interior mirror case, into which a vehicleoccupant can plug an electrically operated (typically 12V) accessorysuch as a radar detector or the like.

Pendent accessory housing 28 preferably comprises a similar material tocasing 12 so that when element 30 is moved to its retracted position asshown in FIG. 8, the lower surface 28 a of housing 28 will generallymatch the surface and color of mirror casing 12. Though it can beappreciated that at least the lower surface of housing 28 mayincorporate a different color or surface to provide either a visual ortactile identification of housing 28, with the tactile identificationproviding an “eyes free” identification to the occupant of the vehicle.Referring to FIG. 7 a, support arm 26 preferably comprises a springloaded support arm and includes an elongated shaft 40 on which ballmember 34 is mounted. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, housing 28 mayinclude a recessed surface 38, for example an elongated depression whichalso provides tactile identification of housing 28 and when pushedreleases pendent accessory 24 from its retracted position so thatpendent accessory 24 can be extended and retracted from the storagespace and optionally swiveled and/or universally pivoted about ballmember 34 to a desired orientation. Similarly, when returned to itsrecessed position or storage space, recessed surface 38 is pressed torelatch pendent accessory 24 in its retracted position within casing 12.Such mechanisms are conventional and well known. In this manner, theoccupant of the vehicle can quickly selectively insert the pendentaccessory into its storage space within case 12 and quickly extend orremove the accessory from its storage space for personal use or use byanother occupant of the vehicle.

As best seen in FIG. 6, housing 28 of display assembly 24 includes oneor more recessed gripping surfaces 42 and 44 to permit easy adjustmentof the position of housing 28 about support arm 26. In the illustratedembodiment, surfaces 42 and 44 comprise round indentations 46, but itshould be understood that other shapes or surfaces may be used.Furthermore, surfaces 42 and 44 provide tactile identification ofhousing 28 to permit quick adjustment with minimal distraction to thedriver.

By selectively and extensibly positioning a display element or a vanitymirror below casing 12 on the end of casing 12 closer to the passengerside of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 3-8, the obstruction to thevehicle operator is minimized. Furthermore, the accessory is located ina position which is well known to the driver and, therefore, requireslittle concentration to use, and such movement in reaching for theaccessory is almost automatic. Such automatic actions require far lessattention than actions requiring new movement and will consequentlyminimize the distraction to the driver as well. Optionally, pendentaccessory 24 may be provided with other electrical or electronicfeatures or accessories, such as previously described in reference tomirror assembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 8A, mirror assembly 10′ may include a video screen13′. In the illustrated embodiment, display screen 13′ is placed to theside of reflector 14′ in casing 12′. In preferred form, display screen13′ is separate from reflector 14′. Most preferably, video screen 13′ iscanted toward the driver when mirror housing 12′ is in its normallyadjusted position. Video screen 13′ can display output from such as arear vision back-up camera (for example, located at or as part of thelicense plate assembly on the rear of the vehicle), such as disclosed inapplication Ser. No. 09/199,907, filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.6,717,610, and Ser. No. 09/361,814 filed Jul. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,201,642, commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties, a baby minder camera (that can be part of an interior lightsuch as a dome light or rail lamp or can be part of a coat hook assemblyor grab handle assembly or similar interior trim item), such as thevehicle interior surveillance camera disclosed previously (that can bepart of an interior light such as a dome light or rail lamp or can bepart of a coat hook assembly or grab handle assembly or similar interiortrim item), vehicle instrument status, such as vehicle informationdisplay, including information relating to fuel gauge levels, a compassdisplay indicating directional heading of the vehicle and the like.Reference is made to copending U.S. Pat. application entitled INTERIORREARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A VIDEO SCREEN, Ser. No.60/186,520, filed Mar. 1, 2000, by Niall R. Lynam, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, for examples of other suitablelocations of video screens and, further, for examples of other suitablemirror casings incorporating one or more video screens. For example, acompass display of vehicle directional heading can be displayed as anadditional display on an interior cabin video display screen (preferablya mirror-mounted video display) that is showing a video view of a rearseat occupant (such as in a baby minder system) or of a rear back-upevent or side and rear lanes as in a panoramic rear vision system.

For example, and as disclosed in copending U.S. Pat. applicationentitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A VIDEO SCREEN,Ser. No. 60/186,520, filed Mar. 1, 2000, by Niall R. Lynam, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and as shown in FIG.8A, mirror assembly 10′ may include a video screen 13′. It has beensuggested and known to equip a vehicle (and especially a largemulti-passenger carrying vehicle such as a minivan, van, sports-utilityvehicle and the like (and especially when equipped with at least threerows of seating)) with a video display mounted in theheader/headerliner/overhead console region of the roof of the interiorcabin and that flips down from the cabin headliner region when desiredto be viewed by occupants of the vehicle. This interior cabinroof-mounted video display typically includes an integrated DVD videosystem that allows display on a flat panel (7 inches diagonal dimension)active matrix, thin-film transistor liquid crystal display of movies,video games, computer generated displays, and the like from DVDdisks/interactive game disks for the entertainment of passengerstypically rearward of the front row of seats of the vehicle where thedriver sits (typically, it is undesirable for the driver to be viewingand thus potentially distracted by movies, TV stations, games etc. whiledriving). Also, it has been suggested to equip such largepassenger-carrying (typically 6-9 or more passenger capacity) cabinswith microphones adjacent each individual row of rear seats and,optionally, video cameras imaging individual rear seat rows orindividual rear seat locations so that rear passengers in the vehiclecan readily converse among themselves and with their images shown on theheader-mounted display screen and with their conversations amplified viathe vehicle audio system. Thus, this known system provides areconfigurable overhead display that flips down from the headliner ofthe interior cabin of the vehicle (such as from an overhead console) forviewing by passengers in the rear of the vehicle and that provides anelectronic conversation function that uses a video display, interiorroof area mounted video cameras and microphones to enhance communicationbetween front- and rear-seat passengers in the vehicle.

As an extension of such a known system, a video camera 17′ (see FIG. 8A)can be incorporated into the movable portion of the interior rearviewmirror assembly (such as, for example, in bezel portion 12 a′ of mirrorcasing 12′ of mirror assembly 10′ of FIG. 8A). The field of view of thebezel/casing-mounted camera is substantially coaxial with the normalviewing angle of reflective element 14′ by the driver of the vehiclesuch that when casing 12′ is adjusted by the driver so that the field ofview through the rear window provided by mirror reflective element 14′is correct for that driver, the field of view of camera 17′ isautomatically aligned so as to substantially view the head portion ofthe driver, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. application entitledREARVIEW MIRROR SUPPORT INCORPORATING VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY, Ser.No. 09/025,712, filed Feb. 18, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,953, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Thus, the veryaction by the driver of adjusting the interior mirror to see properlyout the rear window automatically aligns the bezel/casing-mounted camerato view the head portion of the driver. This image of the driver can,optionally and preferably, be displayed on a header/headliner/overheadconsole-mounted video display screen (optionally in a picture-in-pictureform as is common on home televisions) so that the rear passengers canhave the image of the driver displayed to them, and so the driver canparticipate in their conversations by visual appearance on theoverhead-mounted video screen viewed by the rear passengers. Preferably,a microphone or a plurality of microphones is provided for the driverand front seat occupant(s) to allow them audibly participate as well.Also, when the interior mirror assembly is equipped with a least onevideo screen (as in FIGS. 8A and 8B, and as disclosed in copending U.S.Pat. application entitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLYINCORPORATING A VIDEO SCREEN, Ser. No. 60/186,520, filed Mar. 1, 2000,by Niall R. Lynam, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety), images captured of passengers rearward of the front seat row(where the driver sits) by the rear-seat viewing cameras (typicallylocated at the headliner or on the upper side roof portions of theinterior cabin) can be displayed by the mirror-mounted video screenprovided at the interior mirror assembly so that the driver can viewwhat is happening in the rear seats (and optionally view the status of achild or baby in a rear seat child/baby safety seat). Provision of aninterior mirror-mounted camera and/or video screen can extend theusefulness of in-cabin video displays (such as the DVD-equippedelectronic conversation system described above) that are overhead/roofmounted or with their screen(s) mounted in the back(s) of headrest(s)and vehicle seat(s) or otherwise positioned outside the immediateforward line of sight of the driver. Such provision of an interiormirror-mounted camera and/or video screen allows the driver to morefully utilize a vehicular overhead video display/electronic conversationsystem (such as the DVD based system including a video/audio system thatis sometimes referred to as a vision-aided conversation system and isavailable from Johnson Controls Inc. of Holland Mich.) that is largelyintended for rear-seat passenger entertainment and/or provision of aninterior mirror-mounted camera and/or video screen enhances the value ofsuch a system to rear seat passengers, and the mirror-based video screencan further be used to display to the driver the output of a back-upcamera (that can be mounted such as part of a CHMSL stop light and viewrearward of the vehicle during reversing via the rear window or can bemounted external to the rear window such as part of a license plateattachment, a trunk lid or a trunk handle assembly) and/or of adedicated baby minder camera. Display of such back-up images at theinterior rearview mirror assembly rather than at, for example, a roofheader console-mounted screen is preferred for an ease of driver use andviewability standpoint.

An improved electronic conversation system 4000 of this presentinvention (see FIG. 46) includes an overhead video display assembly 4030that comprises a video display screen 4032, and optionally andpreferably, a video camera 4034 and/or a microphone 4036. Preferably,assembly 4030 comprises an overhead console of the vehicle attached tothe roof portion 4031 of the vehicle. Display screen 4032 preferablycomprises a flat-panel matrix-addressable, reconfigurable displayelement such as a passive display (such as a liquid crystal display) or,more preferably in order to avoid image wash-out due to glare under highambient light conditions such as may occur on a sunny day, may comprisean active display comprising individual light-emitting pixels (such as aplasma multi-pixel display or a field-emission multi-pixel display or alight emitting diode multi-pixel display or a electroluminescentmulti-element display). The outer surface of screen 4032 is preferablycoated with a glare reducing element such as a surface diffuser coatingsuch as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,001,486 and 5,725,957 andpending U.S. Pat. application entitled TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATE WITHDIFFUSER SURFACE, Ser. No. 09/348,086, filed Jul. 6, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,087,012, (which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties), or an interference anti-glare multi-layer thin film, or alow index (less than about 1.4 refractive index measured at the Sodium Dline) polymeric film. Camera 4034 preferably comprises a CCD or a CMOSimage capture device. Preferably, the field of view of camera 4034includes a view of passengers seated in rear seat row 4080 (which is theseat row immediately to the rear of the front seat row 4085 where thedriver and front-seat passenger(s) sit). Camera 4040 preferablycomprises a CCD or a CMOS image capture device. Preferably, the field ofview of camera 4040 includes a view of passengers seated in rear seatrow 4090 (which is the seat row immediately to the rear of the seat row4080). Camera 4060 preferably comprises a CCD or a CMOS image capturedevice. Preferably, the field of view of camera 4060 includes a view ofany passengers seated to the rear of seat row 4090, and/or it may alsoinclude a view out a rear window of the vehicle in order to capture animage of the area immediately behind the vehicle so as to assist safebacking of the vehicle during a reversing maneuver. Microphones 4036,4042 and 4062 are adapted to detect voice inputs and conversations ofrear seat passengers of the vehicle. Such voice signatures so detectedare preferably processed by a digital sound processing system (such asis disclosed in U.S. Pat. application entitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORINCLUDING DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/466,010, filedDec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,975, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety) to enhance the vocal signature signalsof the rear seat passengers and to reduce/eliminate non-vocal noise.Connection of cameras 4040 and 4060 and microphones 4042 and 4062 toassembly 4030 can be by wire connection (such as a CAN or LIN busconnection or a multi-wire cable or a fibre-optic link) and/or can be bywireless connection (such as by radio frequency wireless communicationlink or by infrared wireless communication link). Video screen 4032 candisplay the images captured of the rear seat passengers by cameras 4034,4040 and 4060, and the conversations of rear seat passengers detected bymicrophones 4036, 4042 and 4062 can be heard throughout the vehicle suchas by playback via the vehicle audio system.

Electronic conversation system 4000 further includes an interiorrearview mirror assembly 4010 comprising a mirror reflective element(preferably an electrochromic mirror element) housed in a mirror casing4012 that is pivotally attached to a mirror support arm 4014 thatattaches, via bracket 4016, to the front windshield 4018 of the vehicle.Note that, as an alternate, mirror assembly 4010 could attach to theheader region above the windshield or be part of an overhead console ofthe vehicle, as known in the art. Casing 4012 (that is moveably andpivotally adjustable by the driver so as to set the driver-desiredrearward field of view of mirror reflective element 4021) preferablyincludes a video screen 4020, a video camera 4022 and/or a microphone ormultiple microphones 4024 (although, optionally, some or all of thesecan be incorporated elsewhere on/in or at mirror assembly 4010 such asin a pod attached to bracket 4016, or attaching to/incorporated insupport arm 4014, or mounted adjacent to the mirror assembly 4010 suchas by mounting to the windshield in the region between the point ofattachment of mirror assembly 4010 to the windshield and the headlinerabove). Mirror-mounted display screen 4020 (that preferably has adiagonal screen dimension in the range from about 1 inch to about 4inches) preferably comprises a flat-panel matrix-addressable,reconfigurable display element such as a passive display (such as aliquid crystal display) or, more preferably in order to avoid imagewash-out due to glare under high ambient light conditions such as mayoccur on a sunny day, may comprise an active display comprisingindividual light-emitting pixels (such as a plasma multi-pixel displayor a field-emission multi-pixel display or a light emitting diodemulti-pixel display or a electroluminescent multi-element display). Theouter surface of screen 4020 is preferably coated with a glare reducingelement such as a surface diffuser coating such as is disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,001,486 and 5,725,957 and pending U.S. Pat. applicationentitled TRANSPARENT SUBSTRATE WITH DIFFUSER SURFACE, Ser. No.09/348,086, filed Jul. 6, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,012, (which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties), or aninterference anti-glare multi-layer thin film, or a low index (less thanabout 1.4 refractive index measured at the Sodium D line) polymericfilm. Camera 4022 preferably comprises a CCD or a CMOS image capturedevice, and most preferably, camera 4022 is incorporated in casing 4012(such as in a bezel or eyebrow region) with the field of view of thecamera set so that when the driver adjusts casing 4012 about its pivotconnection to support arm 4014 in order to properly set the rearwardfield of view for mirror reflector 4021, the field of view of camera4022 substantially includes a view of the head/face region of the driverseated in front seat row 4085 (which is the seat row immediately to thefront of seat row 4080). Thus, when the driver aligns the field of viewof the mirror reflector to properly see rearward out the rear window ofthe vehicle, the field of view of the mirror-casing mounted camera isthereby aligned to substantially view the head/face region of thedriver. This image of the head/face region of the driver may bedisplayed on video screen 4032 of overhead video assembly 4030, inconjunction with images captured by any one or several or all of cameras4034,4040 and 4060. For example, an image of the driver captured bymirror-mounted camera 4022 could be displayed at overhead screen 4032,preferably superimposed upon or merged with (such as by apicture-in-a-picture video display as known in the display art) imagesof the rear seat occupants captured by cameras 4034, 4040 and/or 4060.In this manner a video image view of the driver can be seen by the rearpassengers. Optionally, camera 4022 can capture a video image of a frontseat passenger in addition to, or as an alternate to, that of thedriver. Also, optionally but less preferably, camera 4022 can be locatedelsewhere on the interior mirror assembly (such as in a pod attaching tobracket 4016) or elsewhere, high-mounted at the front of the vehiclecabin such as in the region between the mirror attachment point to thewindshield to the headliner above or at the joint between the windshieldand the headliner, or it can be located as part of the instrument panelor as part of a front body pillar such as the A-pillar in the interiorcabin. Microphone 4024 is adapted to detect voice inputs andconversations of front seat occupants of the vehicle such as the driverand/or a front-seat passenger. Such voice signatures so detected arepreferably processed by a digital sound processing system (such as isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. application entitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORINCLUDING DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/466,010, filedDec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,975, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety) to enhance the vocal signature signalsof driver and/or other front seat row occupant and to reduce/eliminatenon-vocal noise. Connection of cameras 4020, 4040 and 4060 andmicrophones 4024, 4042 and 4062 to assembly 4030 can be by wireconnection (such as a CAN or LIN bus connection or a multi-wire cable ora fibre-optic link) and/or can be by wireless connection (such as byradio frequency wireless communication link or by infrared wirelesscommunication link). Thus, and as described above, video screen 4032 candisplay the image captured of front seat occupants (and especially thehead/face view of the driver) and of rear seat passengers by cameras4020, 4034, 4040 and 4060, and the conversations of front seat occupants(and especially the driver) and of rear seat passengers detected bymicrophones 4024, 4036, 4042 and 4062 can be heard throughout thevehicle such as by playback via the vehicle audio system. Note thatpreferably, video screen 4032 is positioned out of the immediate forwardline of sight of the driver in order to obviate distracting the driverfrom the driving task (and thus potentially impair safe driving).

Referring to FIG. 8B, mirror assembly 10″ may include a pair of screendisplays 13 a″ and 13 b″. In the illustrated embodiment, displays 13 a″and 13 b″ are positioned in case 12″ at opposed sides adjacentreflective element 14″. Preferably, displays 13 a″ and 13 b″ aresimilarly positioned behind bezel 12 a″ so that displays 13 a″ and 13 b″generally lie in the same plane as reflective element 14″. Optionally,cameras (not shown) may be mounted in case 12″ on either side as part ofthe interior mirror assembly, with one camera feeding display element 13a″ and the other camera feeding display element 13 b″.

Referring to FIGS. 9-14, the numeral 110 designates a second embodimentof the rearview mirror assembly of the present invention. Mirrorassembly 110 includes a mirror casing or housing 112, bezel or retainingrim 112 a, and a reflective element 114 supported in mirror housing 112.The material of housing 112 is similar to housing 12; therefore,reference is made to housing 12 for further details of suitablematerials. Similar reference is made to the first embodiment for furtherdetails of mirror reflective element 114.

Extending rearwardly from housing 112 is a mirror support arm 116, whichmounts mirror housing 112 by way of a mounting bracket or mirror mountsimilar to bracket 17 onto a mirror mounting button (not shown) providedon most conventional windshields to form a break-away assembly.Reference is made to support arm 16 and bracket 17 for details of onepreferred support arm and other preferred mounting arrangements.

As best seen in FIGS. 10-13, housing 112 includes a storage space 122for holding or storing an accessory 124. In the illustrated embodiment,accessory 124 comprises a light assembly, such as a flashlight assembly.However, accessory 124 may comprise a cellular phone, a phone module,pager, INTERNET connector, or the like. In the case of docking atelecommunication device, such as a phone or a pager, the mirrorassembly is preferably adapted to connect to the telecommunicationdevice (such as a phone) in a manner such that the vehicle controlsystem will recognize the phone and, optionally, direct incoming phonecalls to speakers, which may be located in the mirror assembly orelsewhere in the vehicle. In this manner, the dockable phone may provideremovable hands-free phone function. Furthermore, in one form, the phonemay automatically be activated by the occupant's voice or a switch or bythe docking of the phone onto the mirror assembly. In this manner, thephone may be removed when the occupant exits the car for normal remoteuse or may be docked for hands-free use.

In preferred form, storage space 122 is provided on forward facing sideor back wall 113 of housing 112 and comprises a recessed area whichextends from an upper wall 112 a of housing 112 to a lower wall 112 b ofhousing 112. In this manner, storage space 122 is hidden from view fromthe occupant of the vehicle, but readily accessible by the driver orother occupants of the vehicle. In preferred form, light assembly 124includes a housing 126, and a removable lens 128 which form a unitarybody 130. Body 130 preferably includes a suitable battery or batteries,which may be rechargeable. Body 130 is preferably commensurate in shapewith the outer surface 131 of housing 112 such that when light assembly124 is mounted in storage space 122, the outer surfaces 130 a of unitarybody 130 follow the contours of housing 112 and, further, the outersurfaces 130 a of unitary body 130 are generally flush with surface ofhousing 112 surrounding storage surface 122. In this manner, when lightassembly 124 is mounted to housing 112, light assembly 124 forms aunitary body having matched and corresponding contours which are flushwith housing 112. As would be understood by those skilled in the art,housing 126 supports a bulb and a battery, preferably a rechargeablebattery. In preferred form, housing 126 supports a pair of batterycontacts 131 a which align with contacts 131 b provided on casing 112 topermit quick recharging of the battery or batteries inside housing viathe vehicle electrical system without the need for disassembling lightassembly 124. Alternately, the interior rearview mirror assembly, suchas housing 112, may include a power source, such as a recharger thatrecharges the battery or batteries in the dockable accessory, which isstored or attached thereto. As previously noted, such dockableaccessories can include pagers, cellular phones, flash lights or thelike. In this manner, accessory 124 can be docked for recharging. In thecase of the light assembly, the light assembly can be docked for use asa map reading light or the like. When undocked, light assembly 124 maybe used as a flashlight, as previously noted.

In the case of a dockable phone, housing 112 optionally includes atleast one speaker and microphone, such as disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25, 1999, by Niall R. Lynamet al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,003. When the phone is docked, the phonemay be optionally connected to the vehicle system such that the vehiclesystem enables the speakers and microphones to provide hands-freeoperation of the phone. Actuation of the hands-free phone may beachieved when the phone is docked or by a separate switch mounted, forexample on the dashboard or, alternately, to the interior mirrorassembly. Furthermore, the interior mirror assembly may optionallyincorporate a voice acquisition/recognition/generation system, such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,179, filed Sep. 14,1999, entitled INDICATOR FOR VEHICLE ACCESSORY, now U.S. Pat. No.6,278,377, and U.S. Pat. application entitled VEHICLE BASED NAVIGATIONSYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNIT HOME-BASE REGISTRATIONAND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE, Ser. No. 09/561,023,filed Apr. 28, 2000, by Eugenie V. Uhlmann et al., now U.S. Pat. No.6,553,308, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties, so that not only can the mirror assembly provide ahands free communication system but also an “eyes free” system. Forexample, when downloading a facsimile to a vehicle based fax machine,which is located in the vehicle, the message in the facsimile can betransformed into a voice generated signal so that the occupant,especially the driver, can receive the message audially. Note, and asdescribed in U.S. Pat. application entitled COMPLETE MIRROR-BASEDGLOBAL-POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) NAVIGATION SOLUTION, Ser. No.60/187,960, filed Mar. 9, 2000 (the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety, the vehicle can be equipped (andpreferably the interior rearview mirror assembly can be equipped) with alanguage translation system that text and audible messages received by,and sent from, the vehicle to a language understood and/or spoken by thedriver or other occupant of the vehicle. The vehicular translationsystem can include a language translator in the vehicle itself and/or awireless telematic link to a telematic system (such as General Motor'sONSTAR™ or Ford Motor Company's RESCU™ system) that is located distantand remote from the vehicle.

Alternately, the phone module of a cellular or digital phone may bedocked on the mirror housing such that the vehicle system couples thephone module to the speakers and microphones to provide a hands-freephone system. In this manner, the module can be quickly and easilydocked and, further, removed for replacement into the phone housing.

In addition, when either the phone or phone module is docked, as cellphone calls become traceable through a global positioning system (GPS),emergency phone calls may be forwarded or routed to the correctemergency agency for that location. Since each phone has a uniqueidentifier, GPS can identify a phone and, further, identify the locationof that phone. For example, the phone or mirror assembly may include aseparate emergency button which can be activated by an occupant of thevehicle to notify local emergency agencies that an occupant of thevehicle is in need for emergency assistance. For example, tracing of thephone may be incorporated into or used in conjunction with a vehiclenavigation system, such as described in copending provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/131,593, filed Apr. 29, 1999, entitledVEHICLE-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNITHOME-BASE REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE,and utility application entitled VEHICLE-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITHSMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNIT HOME-BASE REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLENAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE, Ser. No. 09/561,023, filed Apr. 28,2000, by E. Uhlmann, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,308, which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties. Where the vehicle isequipped with a GPS system, the GPS system can monitor the movement ofthe vehicle, and by knowing that the vehicle has moved from one locationto another, and because the GPS knows the geographic position of bothlocations relative to each other, the navigation system can determinethe directional heading of the vehicle, and furnish this as a compassheading signal for display as a compass display such as at the interiormirror assembly.

In addition, the interior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention may incorporate or comprise a component of a security systemwhich employs various cameras, which can be provided at strategiclocations around the vehicle, including interior cameras and exteriorcameras, and are coupled to a telemetry system and preferably to anavigational system such as a GPS system. As noted above interiorviewing (and/or exterior viewing) cameras can be located in or at theinterior rearview mirror assembly (and/or in or at either or both of theexterior side view mirror assemblies mounted to the side of the vehicle)along with telemetry and GPS systems. Optionally, one or more of thesecameras may be equipped with infrared LED light emitting sources, suchas are disclosed in U.S. Pat. application entitled REARVIEW MIRRORSUPPORT INCORPORATING VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY, Ser. No. 09/025,712,filed Feb. 18, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,953, and U.S. Pat.application entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING VEHICLEINFORMATION DISPLAY, Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,172,613, and in U.S. Pat. application entitled VEHICLE BASEDNAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH SMART MAP FILTERING, PORTABLE UNIT HOME-BASEREGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM PREFERENTIAL USE, Ser. No.09/561,023, filed Apr. 28, 2000, by Eugenie V. Uhlmann et al., now U.S.Pat. No. 6,553,308, and in U.S. Pat. application entitled INTERIORREARVIEW MIRROR INCLUDING DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSING SYSTEM, Ser. No.09/466,010, filed Dec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,975, which areall incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, in order tolight up an area in or around the vehicle when it is dark. When anintrusion detector such as a motion detector (preferably apyrodetector-based intrusion detection system such as is disclosed inand commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/901,929, filedJul. 27, 1997, by Gimtong Teowee et al. of Donnelly Corporation entitledPYROELECTRIC INTRUSION DETECTION IN MOTOR VEHICLES, now U.S. Pat. No.6,166,625, and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. application entitled SAFETYRELEASE FOR A TRUNK OF A VEHICLE, Ser. No. 09/516,831, filed Mar. 1,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,529, and U.S. Pat. application entitledSAFETY HANDLE FOR TRUNK OF VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,529, Ser.No. 09/275,565, filed Mar. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,131, thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties) is triggered by, for example, someone attempting tobreak into the vehicle or steal the vehicle, the vehicle-based securitysystem triggers images captured by the vehicular camera(s) to bedownloaded to the telemetry system which then forwards by wirelesstelecommunication (such as by radio frequency or by microwavetransmission) the images (or a security alert signal derived from anin-vehicle image analysis of the captured images) to a security service,a mobile device in the possession of the driver of the vehicle whenhe/she is remote from the parked vehicle (such as a key-fob or a PalmPilot™ PDA), the cell phone of the vehicle owner, the home computer ofthe vehicle owner or the police or the like that is remote and distantfrom the vehicle where the security condition is being detected.Preferably, the in-vehicle camera-based security system silently andsecretly records the events occurring in and/or around the vehicle wholeit is operating (such as when idling in traffic or moving on a highwayor stopped at a traffic light) and provides a “black box” recording ofactivities in the interior of the vehicle or exterior of the vehicle.For example, the security system may be used to record or documentvehicle status including speed, brake activation, vehicle control statussignals (for example, whether the turn signal has been actuated, vehicletraction, tire pressures, yaw and roll, geographic location, time anddate) and other vehicle information as well as record visual imagesdetected by the cameras. In an accident, such vehicleperformance/function data in combination with a visual recording of theinterior and/or exterior vehicular scene (and optionally, a microphonerecording of sounds/voices interior and/or exterior to the vehicle) canhelp insurance and police investigators establish the causes andconditions of an accident. The camera-based vehicle performance/functionrecording system of the vehicle preferably records data onto a recordingmedium (such as onto electronic memory or onto digital recording tape)that is rugged and protected from the consequences of an accident so asto survive the impact forces, shocks, fires and other events possible inan automobile accident. Preferably, any electronic memory utilized isnon-volatile memory that is non-erasing in the event of electrical powerloss in the vehicle. For example, the camera-based in-vehicle securitysystem may include an electronic memory recording medium and/or a videotape (preferably a digital) recording medium so that a pre-determinedperiod of operation of the vehicle, such as up to the last about 1minute of vehicle operation, more preferably up to the last about 5minutes of vehicle operation, most preferably up to the last about 15minutes of vehicle operation, or even greater, is continuously recorded(such as on a closed-loop tape or electronic recording that continuallyrecords the most recent events inside and/or outside the roadtransportation vehicle). The camera-based in-vehicle security system canmaintain the stored images and/or vehicle data in the vehicle fordownloading when desired such as after an accident. Alternately, thecamera-based in-vehicle security system can transmit the images and/orvehicle data by wireless communication to a remote receiver such as areceiver distant and remote from the vehicle (such as at a securitysystem or a telematic service such as ONSTAR™ or RESCU™ or at thevehicle owners home or at a car rental center). This can occurcontinuously while the vehicle is being operated, so that in the eventan accident occurs, retrieval and analysis of the recorded informationis not impeded such as by damage or even loss of the vehicle in theaccident. Also, the remote receiver of the information can alertauthorities (such as a police, fire and/or ambulance service) of anaccident immediately when such accident occurs (and thus potentiallyspeed aid to any accident victims and/or dispatch the correct medicalaid for the type of accident/injuries recorded by the camera(s)). Therecorded information can include the gear in which the driver isoperating the vehicle, the activation of the brakes, the speed at whichthe driver is traveling, the rate of acceleration/deceleration, thetime, date and geographic location, the atmospheric conditions includinglighting conditions—basically, the system can record what happenedduring a collision whereby the system provides an informationrecordation function. For example, when the system is used to record anaccident when the vehicle is operating, the cameras may record scenes,vehicle instrument/function status, or the like which are kept on a tapeor non-volatile electronic, solid-state memory, for example a continuousloop tape or electronic memory. Alternately, this information can becontinuously transmitted or downloaded. For example, the information canbe downloaded in response to a selected stimuli or trigger, such as whenthe brakes are activated, the air bag or bags are activated, when thehorn is operated, or when the car de-accelerates, or the like. Forexample, the system may use accelerometers such as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/440,497, filed Nov. 15, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,411,204, and, furthermore, may be combined with thedeceleration based anti-collision safety light control system describedin the aforementioned application, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein. This informationrecordation function can be used, as noted above, to record bothinterior activities and exterior activities and, therefore, can be usedas noted above as a security system as well. When the system is used asa security system, the telemetry system may contact the security basewho in turn can scroll through the camera images to determine whetherthe alarm is a true or false alarm. In this manner, various existingsystems that are provided in the vehicle may be optionally usedindividually to provide one or more functions or collectively to provideeven further or enhanced functions.

Examples of camera locations where vehicular cameras included in avehicular camera-based accident recording system can be located includeinterior and exterior mirror assembly locations, roof areas such as aheadliner or header console, front, side and rear exterior body areassuch as front grilles, rear doors/trunk areas, side doors, side panels,door handles, CHMSL units, interior body pillars (such as an A-, B- orC- interior pillar) and seat backs, and such as are disclosed incopending, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. applications entitled ELLIPTICALAPERTURE, Ser. No. 60/187,961, filed Mar. 9, 2000, copending, commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. applications entitled INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVIEWSYSTEM, Ser. No. 60/192,721, filed Mar. 27, 2000, (Attorney Docket No.DON01 P-815); copending, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. applicationsentitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A VIDEO SCREEN,Ser. No. 60/186,520, filed Mar. 1, 2000, and in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,877,897; 5,760,962; 5,959,367; 5,929,786; 5,949,331; 5,914,815;5,786,772; 5,798,575; and 5,670,935; and U.S. Pat. applications entitledVEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR DISPLAY SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/304,201, filed May3, 1999; VEHICLE MIRROR DIGITAL NETWORK AND DYNAMICALLY INTERACTIVEMIRROR SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,409, Ser. No. 09/375,315, filedAug. 16, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,164; WIDE ANGLE IMAGE CAPTURESYSTEM FOR VEHICLES, Ser. No. 09/199,907 filed Nov. 25, 1998, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,717,610; WIDE ANGLE IMAGING SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/361,814,filed Jul. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,642; VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEMWITH STEREO IMAGING, Ser. No. 09/372,915, filed Aug. 12, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,396,397; VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR DISPLAY SYSTEM,” Ser. No.09/304,201, filed May 3, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,409; and“REARVIEW VISION SYSTEM WITH INDICIA OF BACKUP TRAVEL, Ser. No.09/313,139, filed May 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,447, which areall commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation of Holland, Mich., thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentireties. For example, a camera, preferably a solid-state CMOS videocamera, can be located within the interior cabin of the vehicle (andpreferably located at, on or within the interior rearview mirrorassembly), and adapted to capture a surveillance image of the front andrear occupants of the vehicle. In this regard, locating the interiorcabin surveillance camera at, on or within the interior rearview mirrorassembly is preferred as this location provides the camera with a goodrearward field of view that captures an image of all front and rear seatoccupants. Preferably, the vehicle is also equipped with the in-vehicleportion of a wireless communication telematic system such as an ONSTAR™or RESCU™ system, and the geographic location of the vehicle can also beestablished by a navigational system, such as an in-vehicle GPS system.Images of the interior vehicle cabin (including images of the variousvehicle occupants) can be captured by the in-vehicle image capturedevice, preferably an interior mirror-mounted video camera, and thisinformation, in conjunction with the geographic location of the vehicleprovided by a position locator such as a GPS system, along with variousvehicle information/function data such as the state of activation of anyair bag in the vehicle, can be communicated by wirelesstelecommunication to an external service remote from the vehicle such asan ONSTAR™ or RESCU™ service. Such communication can be periodic (suchas when the ignition is first turned on during a particular trip, orinitially when the ignition is first turned on and intermittentlythereafter, such as every about 1 minute or so) or continuous duringoperation of the vehicle with its engine turned on. Should the receiverat the remote service be alerted that an accident has occurred (such asby receiving from the vehicle via wireless telematic communication anaccident alert signal indicative that an air bag has activated), theremote receiver (which can be an ONSTAR™ operator or an automaticcomputer-based image analyzer or an emergency service such as a “911”service provider) can count, via the video imaged relayed from thevehicle, the number of occupants in the vehicle and can accordinglyalert emergency services as to the location of the accident and thenumber of victims involved (thus ensuring that the appropriate numberof, for example, ambulances are dispatched to deal with the actualnumber of potential victims in the vehicle at the time of the crash).Optionally, the owner/driver of the vehicle can register/notify theremote telematic service of any special medical needs, blood types andthe likes of the likely driver(s) and/or likely occupants (such asfamily members) along with any next-of-kin information, insurancecoverage and the like so that, in the event the like of an ONSTAR™ orRESCU™ telematic service or telematically-linked “911” emergencyresponse service determines an accident has occurred, medical andemergency relief specific to the likely/actual occupants of the vehiclecan be dispatched. Likewise, should an in-vehicle fire be detected suchas by visual determination via image analysis of video imagestelematically transmitted and/or by an in-vehicle temperature probetransmitting data telematically, then the fire brigade can beautomatically sent to the crash site and/or an in-vehicle fireextinguisher can be activated to put out any fire (either by remote,wireless activation by the telematic service of the in-vehicle fireextinguisher or by automatic in-vehicle image analysis of the imagerecorded by an interior or exterior camera of the vehicle that, uponin-vehicle image analysis determining that a fire has occurred in thevehicle, causes a vehicular on-board fire extinguisher to actuate to putout the fire). Also, either remotely or via in-vehicle image analysis,the engine of the vehicle can be turned off after an accident has beendetected via the vehicular camera system. Optionally, the owner/driverof the vehicle can register/notify the remote telematic service of anyspecial medical needs, blood types and the likes of the likely driver(s)and/or likely occupants (such as family members) along with anynext-of-kin information, insurance coverage and the like so that, in theevent the like of an ONSTAR™ or RESCU™ telematic service ortelematically-linked “911” emergency response service determines anaccident has occurred, medical and emergency relief specific to thelikely/actual occupants of the vehicle can be dispatched. Likewise,should an in-vehicle fire be detected such as by visual determinationvia image analysis of video images telematically transmitted and/or byan in-vehicle temperature probe transmitting data telematically, thenthe fire brigade can be automatically sent to the crash site and/or anin-vehicle fire extinguisher can be activated to put out any fire(either by remote, wireless activation by the telematic service of thein-vehicle fire extinguisher or by automatic in-vehicle image analysisof the image recorded by an interior or exterior camera of the vehiclethat, upon in-vehicle image analysis determining that a fire hasoccurred in the vehicle, causes a vehicular on-board fire extinguisherto actuate to put out the fire). Also, either remotely or via in-vehicleimage analysis, the engine of the vehicle can be turned off after anaccident has been detected via the vehicular camera system.

A variety of other electrical and electronic features can beincorporated into the rearview mirror assembly, such as those disclosedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467, filed Nov., 4, 1999,entitled VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY, to Patrick Heslin and NiallR. Lynam, commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, now U.S. Pat. No.6,326,613, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.For example, a microphone or a plurality of microphones may beincorporated, preferably to provide hands-free input to a wirelesstelecommunication system such as the ONSTAR™ system in use in GeneralMotors vehicles. Most preferably, such microphones provide input to anaudio system that transmits and communicates wirelessly with a remotetransceiver, preferably in voice recognition mode. Such systems aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,003, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

In this regard it may be desirable to use audio processing techniques,such as digital sound processing, to ensure that vocal inputs to thevehicular audio system are clearly distinguished from cabin ambientnoise such as from wind noise, HVAC, and the like. Digital soundprocessing techniques, as known in the acoustics arts and such as aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,865, entitled A METHOD FOR INDICATINGTHE PRESENCE OF SPEECH IN AN AUDIO SIGNAL, issued Sep. 25, 1990, toStettiner et al. (the disclosure of which incorporated by referenceherein), are particularly useful to enhance clarity of vocal signaldetection when a single microphone is used, located in the interiormirror assembly such as in casing 12, as part of a vehicular wirelesscommunication system such as General Motors' ONSTAR™ system. Use ofdigital signal processing and a single mirror-mounted microphone (suchas is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,179, filedSep. 14, 1999, entitled INDICATOR FOR VEHICLE ACCESSORY, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,278,377, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein) is particularly advantageous for economical achievement of clearand error-free transmission from the vehicle, while operating along ahighway, to a remote receiver, particularly in speech-recognition mode.Although advantageous with a single mirror-mounted microphone (or for amicrophone mounted elsewhere in the vehicle cabin such as in the headerregion), digital sound processing is also beneficial when multiplemicrophones are used. For example a first microphone, mounted in themirror casing 12, can be directed principally towards the mouth of thedriver and a second microphone can be directed so as to detect vehicularambient noise such from HVAC, windshield vibration etc. Optionally, athird microphone can be placed at a location on the exterior of thevehicle (such as within an external portion of a window gasket or withinan external door handle) to directly pick up road/wind noise external tothe vehicle. This can provide a further signal for noise cancellation asdescribed below. A signal indicative of the ambient noise can begenerated by processing the output of the second microphone, and thissignal can be subtracted from a signal generated by processing theoutput of the first microphone to form a signal substantiallyrepresentative of the speech picked up by the first microphone (andoptionally, the sounds picked up by the third external microphone can beincluded as negative feedback to further cancel noise picked up by thefirst microphone). Techniques and circuitry to achieve such speechenhancement are known in the acoustics art, such as are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,381,473, issued Jan. 10, 1995, entitled NOISECANCELLATION APPARATUS, to D. Andrea, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein. Also, noise cancellation techniquessuch as destructive interference can advantageously be used, whereby thesignal as picked up by the microphone is processed, the human vocalsignal is distinguished from the noise signal, and whereby the noisesignal is fed back 180 degrees out of phase with itself in order tocancel out the noise by destructive interference and so enhance thevocal signal to background noise ratio. Digital sound processing ispreferably accomplished using a microprocessor. A variety ofmicroprocessors can be used such as a single-chip microcomputeroptimized for digital signal processing and high speed numericprocessing such as the ADSP-218x digital signal processors such as theADSP-2186 single-chip microcomputer, which integrates 40 kilobytes ofon-chip memory (including 8K words (24-bit) of program RAM and 8K words(16-bit) of data RAM) along with serial ports, DMA ports, timers, I/Olines, and interrupt capabilities. The ADSP-2186 microcomputer and theADSP-218x digital signal processors are available from Analog Devices,Inc., Norwood, Mass. In a vehicle wireless communication systeminstalled in a vehicular cabin, location of the microphone(s) in theinterior mirror assembly (such as in casing 12) is advantageous. Fordigital sound processing of the sound signal detected by themirror-mounted microphone, an analog to digital converter can be alsolocated at the interior rearview mirror assembly (such as in casing 12)that converts the analog microphone sensor output to digital form. Themicroprocessor for performing the digital sound processing algorithmsand analysis can also be located at the interior rearview mirrorlocation (such as in casing 12). Alternately, the microprocessorperforming the digital sound processing analysis can be locatedelsewhere in the vehicle cabin (such as in the vehicle dash, preferablysharing circuitry with other functions of the vehicle wirelesscommunication system), and with the digitized output signal from the A/Dconverter linked to the mirror-mounted microphone being fed to themicroprocessor via a wire link or via a car area network (a.k.a.controlled area network) or via a vehicular local area network or via anin-cabin, short-range radio transmission network such as via theBLUETOOTH system described below.

Preferably the microphone interfaces to an audio system that includes ananalog to digital converter and/or a digital to analog converter for thepurpose of converting the analog output of the microphone to a digitalsignal for input to a digital sound processor and for conversion of thedigital output of a digital sound processor to an analog signal forwireless transmission to a remote transceiver. Digital sound processingtechniques may be used to enhance the vocal signal to background noisediscrimination ratio. Also, both analog and digital audio filteringtechniques can be used to enhance the vocal to background noise ratio,and so assist clarity of transmission and/or receipt at a remotereceiver and so improve accuracy in voice recognition mode. Also,physical techniques such as sound insulation, acoustic wave guides,angling of microphones to selectively detect speech versus backgroundnoise, use of a directed microphone directed to a potential humanspeaker in conjunction with a more omnidirectional microphone/sensormicrophone intended to detect background noise can be used. Techniquesuseful to enhance vocal to noise signal ratio include use of analogand/or digital low-pass filtering to limit examination of signal contentto, for example, less than 1000 Hz. or less than 750 Hz. (and so helpdistinguish vocal signal from noise signals), include use of syllabicrate filtering such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,344, includeuse of a hangover time function such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,187,396, include use of a digital sound switch and dual thresholddetection such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,568 and include noisecanceling microphones and techniques such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,909,495 (the disclosures of the above cited U.S. Pats. areincorporated by reference herein). The vehicular microphone can bevoice-activated such as by a digital voice operated switch such as isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,263, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein. An adaptive signal processing systemcan be used to enhance vocal to noise ratio. Adaptive noise cancellationtechniques can be used to produce a speech indication signal in responseto detection of voice information in the presence of backgroundvehicular noise such as are described in “Adaptive Noise Canceling:Principles and Applications” Proc. IEEE, vol. 63, pp. 1692-1716,December 1975 by B. Widrow et al., and “Adaptive Noise Canceling forSpeech Signals”, IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech and Sig. Proc., vol.ASSP-26, No. 5, October 1978, by M. Sambur, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,082,entitled COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION, issuedJul. 16, 1999, to Eriksson et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,263, entitledADAPTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION AND SPEECH ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM AND APPARATUSTHEREOF, issued Oct. 5, 1993, to Andrea et al, the disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. Mechanicalcancellation of ambient noise can be provided, as can a noise cancelingpressure gradient microphone, preferably in conjunction with acousticports including voice and noise ports. Such a system is disclosed inWorld Pat. publication WO 9817046 A1 to D. Andrea, published Apr. 23,1998, and entitled NOISE CANCELING ACOUSTICAL IMPROVEMENT TO WIRELESSTELEPHONE OR CELLULAR PHONE, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference. A pressure gradient microphone, as known inthe acoustic arts, can be used to reduce the background vehicular noiseas detected by a vehicular mirror-mounted microphone, or alternatively,an acoustic feedback system, preferably including compensation filters,can be used. Also, closed-loop active noise reduction techniques andother noise reduction techniques can be used such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 2,972,018; 3,098,121; 4,833,719; 4,878,188; 4,977,600; and5,138,664, and in Japanese Pat. Abstract No. 3-169199, the disclosuresof which are incorporated by reference herein. An adaptive noisecancellation and speech enhancement system and apparatus suitable to usea vehicle with a mirror-mounted microphone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,251,263, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.This adaptive noise cancellation system is particularly beneficial whenmultiple vehicular microphones are used. Other noise cancellationtechniques useful for vehicular microphones, and particularly formirror-mounted microphones that provide input to wireless communicationsystems, particularly in voice-recognition mode, are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,732,143; 5,825,897; and 5,673, 325, the disclosures of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

Also, an indicator such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/396,179, filed Sep. 14, 1999, entitled INDICATOR FOR VEHICLEACCESSORY, U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,377, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein, can be incorporated into the interiormirror assembly that indicates to the driver and/or passengers thatspeech being detected by a mirror-mounted microphone (or a microphonelocated elsewhere in the vehicle cabin such as in a header console) isbeing transmitted and received clearly and error-free by a remotewireless receiver such as an ONSTAR™ operator or a voice recognitionsystem such as is common when calling airlines, services and the like.For example, the signal which is wirelessly transmitted from the audiosystem in the vehicle to the remote receiver may be echoed orretransmitted back to the vehicle where, upon receipt of theretransmitted signal at the vehicle, an in-vehicle voice recognitionsystem interprets the as-received retransmitted signal and either speaksthe words/numbers interpreted to the driver for confirmation, ordisplays the message as received in the vehicle after retransmission sothe driver/passenger receives and audible and/or visual indication ofwhat the remote voice recognition transcriber is receiving. If thein-vehicle voice recognition system/in-vehicle indicator is notindicating the expected message, then the driver/passenger will knowthat the original transmission to the remote voice recognition systemwas not clear and contained error, and take appropriate action such asrepeating the message. By retransmitting back to the vehicle, andconfirming in-vehicle, the vehicle occupants can be assured thatwireless transmission to the like of a voice recognition system is clearand error-free.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,865, entitled A METHOD FORINDICATING THE PRESENCE OF SPEECH IN AN AUDIO SIGNAL, issued Sep. 25,1990, to Stettiner et al., and in copending and co-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/466,010, filed Dec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,420,975; Ser. No. 09/396,179, filed Sep. 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,278,377; Ser. No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,243,003; Ser. No. 09/449,121, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,428,172; Ser. No. 09/433,467, filed Nov. 4; 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,326,613; Ser. No. 09/448,700, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,329,925; and Ser. No. 09/446,010, filed Dec. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,420,975, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein, use of a mirror-mounted digital sound processingsystem that includes a microphone, and preferably a plurality of atleast two microphones, incorporated into the vehicular interior rearviewmirror assembly has many advantages including placing the voiceacquisition system in the vehicle at a high-mounted, central location tothe front of the driver and/or the front seat passenger, and with themirror-mounted microphone(s) at a level and at a position natural to beaddressed by the front seat occupants. Also, since the interior mirrorassembly is at a location in the vehicle cabin behind the frontwindshield where it is subject to heating in summer due to solarinsolation passing through the front windshield, it is preferable to usea high temperature resistant microphone capable of withstanding atemperature of, and performs well at, at least 80° C., more preferably,at least 90° C., and most preferably, at least 100° C. In this regard,it is preferable to use a ceramic, silicon or similar non-polymericresin based microphone element in the microphone(s) incorporated intothe interior mirror assembly. For example, a preferred microphoneelement for use in microphone(s) incorporated into the interior mirrorassembly is a silicon microphone available from Ruf Electronics GmbH ofHohenkirchen, Germany under the trade name SiSonic™ Silicon microphone.This has an operating temperature in the −40° C. to 125° C. range with afrequency response from 100 Hertz to 18 kilohertz (audible design) andan output noise of 20 microvolt rms. This is provided in a chip packagesuitable for mounting on a PCB. It is preferable to use printed circuitboard (PCB) mountable microphones that most preferably can be placed onthe same PCB used for other electronic/electrical functions of theinterior mirror assembly (such as automatic electrochromic dimmingmirror circuitry, compass sensing and/or display circuitry, telematicinput controls such as ONSTAR™ input buttons, digital sound processingcircuitry) in order to optimize economy of manufacture. Further, thedesign of the bezel region and/or the structure of the interior rearviewmirror casing that houses the interior reflective element can be adaptedto receive and accommodate the mirror-mounted microphone(s). Forexample, sound insulation, vibration isolation/protection, air draftbaffles, acoustic ports, acoustic conduits, acoustic traps, chambers,isolators, baffles, wave guides and traps, microphone angling sockets,voice ports, noise ports, as well as mechanical noise cancellationelements can be molded into or otherwise provided in, or attached to,the bezel and/or casing of the interior rearview mirror assembly suchas, and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in or on casing 12 and/or bezel 12 aof rearview assembly 10. Thus, instead of providing a single-element ormulti-element microphone module (which preferably has cardioid or supercardioid directionality along with beamforming) as a unitary assemblysupplied to the mirror manufacturer by a microphone manufacturer, thesub-elements of the microphone assembly (such as, for example, soundinsulation, vibration isolation/protection, air draft baffles, windprotection, acoustic ports/function, acoustic conduits, acoustic traps,chambers, isolators, baffles, wave guides and traps, microphone anglingsockets, voice ports, noise ports and the like) can instead beincorporated by the mirror manufacturer into the design and constructionof the interior mirror assembly, and preferably in conjunction withmounting of the microphone(s) on any PCB used in the interior mirrorassembly so that, when the PCB is mounted within the cavity of theinterior mirror casing, the PCB-mounted microphone(s) line up with themechanical acoustical elements (such as those listed above) incorporatedinto the mirror bezel/casing so that both cooperate to provide a highperforming (with a signal to noise discrimination of at least 15decibels provided, at least 20 decibels more preferred, and at least 25decibels most preferred), economical mirror-mounted voice acquisitionsystem, preferably also including digital sound processing noisecancellation/electronic signal conditioning. Note that where an existingelectronic feature is already present in the interior mirror assembly(such as automatic electrochromic dimming mirror circuitry, compasssensing and/or display circuitry, telematic input controls such asONSTAR™ input buttons, digital sound processing circuitry), it isdesirable for economy and electronic integrity that the digital soundprocessing/electronic signal conditioning associated with the voiceacquisition/microphones be at least partially placed, and preferablysubstantially placed, on the same PCB as circuitry for other electronicfeatures of the mirror assembly, preferably with sharing ofcomponents/circuit elements such as microprocessors, electronic memory,power supplies, etc.

The interior mirror assembly may include a variety of informationdisplays such as a PSIR (Passenger Side Inflatable Restraint) display,an SIR (Side-Airbag Inflatable Restraint), compass/temperature display,a tire pressure status display (such as described in copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/513,941, filed Feb. 28, 2000, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,294,989, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety) or other desirable displays, such as those described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5, 1999, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,172,613, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

For example, the interior rearview mirror assembly may include a displayof the speed limit applicable to the location where the vehicle istravelling. Conventionally, speed limits are posted as a fixed limit(for example, 45 MPH) that is read by the vehicle driver upon passing asign. As an improvement to this, an information display (preferably analphanumerical display and, more preferably, a reconfigurable display)can be provided within the vehicle cabin, readable by the driver, thatdisplays the speed limit at whatever location on the road/highway thevehicle actually is at any moment. For example, existing speed limitsigns could be enhanced to include a transmitter that broadcasts a localspeed limit signal, such signal being received by an in-vehicle receiverand displayed to the driver. The speed limit signal can be transmittedby a variety of wireless transmission methods, such as radiotransmission, and such systems can benefit from wireless transmissionprotocols and standards, such as the BLUETOOTH low-cost, low-power radiobased cable replacement or wireless link based on short-rangeradio-based technology. BLUETOOTH enables creation of a short-range(typically 30 feet or so although longer and shorter ranges arepossible), wireless personal area network via small radio transmittersbuilt into various devices. For example, transmission can be on a 2.45gigahertz band, moving data at about 721 kilobits per second, or faster.BLUETOOTH, and similar systems, allow creation of an in-vehicle areanetwork. Conventionally, features and accessories in the vehicle orwired together. Thus, for example, an interior electrochromic mirror andan exterior electrochromic mirror is connected by at least one wire inorder to transmit control signal and the like. With BLUETOOTH andsimilar systems, control commands can be broadcast between the interiormirror and the exterior mirror (and vice versa) without the need forphysical wiring interconnecting the two. Likewise, the two exteriormirror assemblies on the vehicle can exchange, transmit and/or receivecontrol commands/signals (such as of memory position or the like such asis described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein) via an in-vehicle short-rangeradio local network such as BLUETOOTH. Similarly, tire pressure sensorsin the wheels can transmit via BLUETOOTH to a receiver in the interiormirror assembly, and tire pressure status (such as described incopending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/513,941, filed Feb. 28,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,989, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety) can be displayed, preferably at the interiorrearview mirror. In the case of the dynamic speed limit system describedabove, preferably, the in-vehicle receiver is located at and/or thedisplay of local speed limit is displayed at the interior mirrorassembly (for example, a speed limit display can be located in a chin oreyebrow portion of the mirror case, such as in the mirror reflectoritself, such as in the cover 40, or such as in a pod attached to theinterior mirror assembly). More preferably, the actual speed of thevehicle can be displayed simultaneously with and beside the local speedlimit in-vehicle display and/or the difference or excess thereto can bedisplayed. Optionally, the wireless-based speed limit transmissionsystem can actually control the speed at which a subject vehicle travelsin a certain location (such as by controlling an engine governor or thelike) and thereby provide a vehicle speed control function. Thus, forexample, a school zone speed limit can be enforced by transmission of aspeed-limiting signal into the vehicle. Likewise, different classes ofvehicles can be set for different speed limits for the same stretch ofhighway. The system may also require driver identification and then setindividual speed limits for individual drivers reflecting their skilllevel, age, driving record and the like. Moreover, a global positioningsystem (GPS) can be used to locate a specific vehicle, calculate itsvelocity on the highway, verify what the allowed speed limit is at thatspecific moment on that specific stretch of highway, transmit thatspecific speed limit to the vehicle for display (preferably at theinterior rearview mirror that the driver constantly looks at as part ofthe driving task) and optionally alert the driver or retard the driver'sability to exceed the speed limit as deemed appropriate. A short-range,local communication system such as envisaged in the BLUETOOTH protocolfinds broad utility in vehicular applications, and particularly whereinformation is to be displayed at the interior mirror assembly, or wherea microphone or user-interface (such as buttons to connect/interact witha remote wireless receiver) is to be located at the interior (orexterior) rearview mirror assembly. For example, a train approaching arailway crossing may transmit a wireless signal such as a radio signal(using the BLUETOOTH protocol or another protocol) and that signal maybe received by and/or displayed at the interior rearview mirror assembly(or the exterior sideview mirror assembly). Also, the interior rearviewmirror and/or the exterior side view mirrors can function astransceivers/display locations/interface locations for intelligentvehicle highway systems, using protocols such as the BLUETOOTH protocol.Protocols such as BLUETOOTH, as known in the telecommunications art, canfacilitate voice/data, voice over data, digital and analog communicationand vehicle/external wireless connectivity, preferably using theinterior and/or exterior mirror assemblies astransceiver/display/user-interaction sites. Electronic accessories toachieve the above can be accommodated in casing 12, and/or elsewhere inthe interior mirror assembly (such as in the housing disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/433,467, filed Nov. 4, 1999, entitledVEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY, to Patrick Heslin and Niall R. Lynam,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,613.

Providing a docking capability and/or storage space for the like of acellular phone has several advantages, especially when used inconjunction with an in-vehicle microphone and ONSTAR™ or similarvehicular wireless communication system. In such a system, the vehicletypically comes equipped from the original equipment manufacturer(typically an automaker such as General Motors, Ford or the like) withan excellent radio/CD/tape audio system with good speakers, amplifiers,graphic equalizers etc. Coupled with a high quality microphone, thequality and power of the vehicular audio system typically exceeds thatfound in a hand-held cellular phone. Also, when the vehicle is equippedwith an ONSTAR™ system, the vehicle is typically already provided with aquality wireless transmitting/receiving antenna, and often with a GPSsystem as well. Thus, providing a docking function (preferably at theinterior rearview mirror but at other location such as the headerconsole or the like is contemplated) has advantages beyond providing arecharging power source to the personal hand-held phone (or pager or thelike). Once docked (which encompasses linking the portable unit to theinterior mirror assembly via a cable or via a cable-less connection suchas by a remote IR link), the driver and/or passengers can optionally andpreferably make and receive telephone calls via their docked personalphone, but with the audio system being provided by the in-vehicle,pre-existing speakers, amplifiers, microphone etc. Preferably, whenevera phone call is initiated, any radio station or other music or playthough the vehicle audio system is turned off for the duration of thephone call. Also, the ringing tone indicating a call is being receivedat the docked personal phone preferably sounds through the car audiosystem so that it is audible even if the car audio is playing music orthe like. In this manner, the driver and/or passenger can be contactedvia their personal cellular phone number while driving on the highway.As regulations increase forbidding the use of cellular phones whiledriving, unless hands-free, use of the existing vehicle audio system tomake and receive calls is advantageous as quality of sound is enhancedthereby. The present invention contemplates a personal cellular phonehaving a detachable module that includes the circuitry that makes thatphone specific and unique in terms of caller identifier. Thus, when thedriver, for example, enters the vehicle, he/she detaches the identifiermodule from the personal mobile hand-held cellular phone and plugs it toa receiving portion of the in-vehicle wireless transmission system (thatmay comprise an antenna, speakers, an amplifier, a microphone, a keypadetc). Once the identifier module is plugged into the vehicular wirelesscommunication system, the vehicle wireless communication system nowemulates the hand-held personal phone, allowing calls be made orreceived at the personal phone number of the owner of the personalcellular phone. All such in-vehicle communication can be invoice-recognition mode, or a keypad can be provided for the driver tokey in a phone number. Although illustrated here for a cellular phone,these concepts have broad application to like of hand-held computers andthe like. Also, soon all cellular phone calls will be traceable as tothe geographic location of the call. Thus, by making a call from thevehicle, the location of the vehicle is traceable by the likes of thephone service provider such as MCI, SPRINT and the like. Thus, thegeographic location of the vehicle can be identified by the driverplacing a call. A user-operated “SOS” button can be provided in thevehicle such that, when activated, a cellular phone call is initiated,this call is directed to the cellular phone company, the cellular phonecompany identifies the vehicle's location, and the cellular serviceprovider, once the vehicle's location is identified, automaticallyconnects the phone to the emergency “911” service particular to thelocation of the vehicle. Thus, no matter where the call is made from,the driver of the vehicle is automatically connected to the emergencyservices.

Also, where a dockable accessory is used and in other situations, theinterior mirror assembly may include a recharging unit and/or a lowvoltage (typical less than 10 volts, such as 5 volts or lower) powersource (preferably of direct current power) to power the likes of acellular phone, lap-top computer, or the like. A socket for this purposemay be provided on the mirror casing 12 (or elsewhere on the interiormirror assembly), or a powering and/or recharging cable can be stored incasing 12, and pulled out (preferably under spring-load so as toautomatically rewind) as required to power the accessory. Preferably,the recharging unit, including any associated electronic circuitry, ishoused in casing 12 of the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Referring to FIG. 9, housing 126 of light assembly 124 is preferablymade from a similar material to housing 112 so that when light assembly124 is docked or mounted to housing 112, outer surface 126 a of housing126 blends with or matches outer surface 131 of housing 112. Lens 128preferably includes an outer surface 128 a which is substantiallycontinuous with outer surface 126 a of housing 126 and, further,includes a rounded end portion 128 b, which generally follows the outerperiphery 112 e of housing 112. In this manner, when light assembly 124is mounted to housing 112, light assembly 124 follows the contours ofhousing 112 and provides a smooth substantially continuous surface withouter surface 131 of housing 112. Examples of suitable materials forlens 128 are acrylic and polycarbonate.

As best understood from FIGS. 9 and 11, light assembly 124 optionallyincludes a pair of engagement surfaces 132, which provide tactileidentification of assembly 124 so that assembly 124 can be quicklylocated without visual contact. In addition, engagement surfaces 132provide gripping surfaces for the occupant so that light assembly 124can be quickly disengaged from housing 112 or returned to or docked inits storage space on the rear wall or forward facing side of housing112.

In preferred form, storage space 122 is defined by a first generallyplanar recessed wall section 134 (FIG. 14) of housing 112 which extendsalong an axis 136. Axis 136 is generally parallel to the reflectiveelement assembly 114. Planar surface 134 is bounded by upper and lowerwalls 112 b and 112 c and end wall 112 d of housing 112 and, further, bya second planar recessed wall 138 of housing 112. In the preferredembodiment, second planar recessed wall 138 extends at a slight angle toan axis 140 (see FIG. 9) which is substantially orthogonal to axis 136and to upper and lower walls 112 b and 112 c of housing 112. Similar toplanar wall 134, planar wall 138 extends between upper and lower walls112 a and 112 b to form with planar wall 134, a slightly open, L-shapedconfiguration. In preferred form, planar wall 134 includes one or moreprojecting members 142 (FIG. 14), for example bayonet type connectors,which extend outwardly from planar wall 134. In the illustratedembodiment, planar wall 134 includes four projecting members 142 forengaging corresponding receiving structures, for example openings 144provided on housing 126 of light assembly 124 (FIG. 13). Receivingstructures 144 are configured to receive projecting members 142 and toreleasably couple light assembly 124 to housing 112, as would beunderstood by those skilled in the art. Alternately, housing 112 mayinclude receiving structures with light assembly 124 includingprojecting members. Other releasable couplers which may be used includerails that provide a sliding arrangement of light assembly 124 ontohousing 112. In addition, light assembly 124 may be coupled to housing112 by a detachable fastener element, such as by Velcro or magnets or acombination of magnets and metal inserts or the like. In this manner,light assembly 124 may be quickly and easily removed from housing 112for use by the operator or passenger of the vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 15A, a third embodiment 210 of the rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Rearview mirrorassembly 210 includes a mirror casing or housing 212 and a reflectiveelement 214, similar to the first and second embodiments. Housing 212 ismounted to a windshield button B, which is adhered to windshield W in aconventional manner, by a break-away mounting bracket or mirror mount217 and support arm 216. Reference is made to support arm 16 and bracket17 for further details. As noted in reference to the first embodiment,mirror assembly 210 may be alternately mounted to a headliner of avehicle, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Housing 212includes a bezel or retaining rim 212 a which extends around theperiphery of the rearward opening of housing 212 and over a peripheraledge portion of reflective element 214. Bezel 212 a may optionallyinclude one or more displays, buttons, or indicators, such as LEDs, asnoted in reference to the first embodiment.

In the illustrated embodiment, mirror housing 212 includes a storagespace 222 for storing accessories, for example sun glasses, tools,including pocket knives or Swiss army knives, pencils, keys, coins,paper money, credit cards, pass cards, including toll cards, accesscards, parking permits, paperwork, such as registration or insurancepapers, or the like. In addition, storage space 222 may be used forholding trash, such as scrap paper, food or candy wrappers, or the like.As used herein, “accessories” includes a wide range of objects that canbe used by the driver or other occupants of the vehicle, includingmoney, tools, including writing instruments, parking receipts, parkingpermits, glasses, gloves, cosmetics, paper products, such as writingpads, kleenex, facial tissues, cleaning products, such as wipes, eyeglass cleaning supplies, cards, such as business cards, credit cards,access cards, or the like. It should be understood that this list ofobjects is not exhaustive and merely an example of the various objectsthat can be stored in the mirror location. In the illustratedembodiment, storage space 222 comprises an open storage space defined bya trough-shaped recess 224 which extends into top wall 212 b of housing212 and which includes an access opening 222 a. It should be understoodthat the shape of the storage space may be adjusted as desired; forexample, recess 224 forming the storage space may be cylindrical inorder to provide a storage space for a cylindrical accessory such as acup, container, or the like. In this manner, storage space 222 mayprovide a cup holding function. In the illustrated embodiment, opening222 a extends over the full length and width of recess 222. But, itshould be understood that opening 222 a may be reduced over either orboth its length and width.

Referring to FIG. 16, recess 224 comprises a plastic trough-shapedunitary body 230 which includes side walls 232 and 234, end walls 236and 238, and a bottom wall 240. Extending around the open mouth 242 ofbody 230 is a lip 244 which may be formed or positioned on upper surface228 of housing 212 to provide a tactile identification of recess 224.Alternately, lip 244 may be formed generally flush with upper surface228 of upper wall 212 b such that body 230 does not create anyirregularities in the outline of casing 212. Optionally, case 212 may bemolded with an opening formed in upper wall 212 b, with the storagespace 222 being separately molded and inserted into the opening of thecase 212.

Preferably, the bin or tray may be adapted, such as by sizing, to have asnug fit into the opening whereby the bin or tray is removable forcleaning or substitution with alternate bin configurations. Alternately,the insert may be fixed in the opening, for example, by ultra sonicallywelding or by other suitable fastening methods, such as suitableadhesives, or releasable couplers such as snap fingers which are knownin the art. Alternately, storage space 222 may be molded with the mirrorcase such that the upper wall of the mirror case is shaped so that theouter upper surface forms the bin.

Referring again to FIG. 16, body 230 may include one or more reinforcingribs 246. Ribs 246 project inwardly from side walls 232, 234 and bottomwall 240 to form generally U-shaped dividers. In the illustratedembodiment, ribs 246 define four compartments or sub-spaces 248 a, 248b, 248 c, and 248 d, which prevent shifting of smaller articles such ascoins, keys, or the like in storage space 222 or along body 230.Furthermore, ribs 246 provide lateral support for glasses placed in body230.

Referring to FIG. 15A, reflective element 214 may comprise anelectrochromic element of an electrochromic element module. Theelectrochromic mirror element, for example, includes two substrates 214a and 214 b (typically glass substrates) with an electrochromic medium214 d sandwiched between the substrates. The electrochromic elementmodule preferably includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 214 c which maybe attached to its rear surface as shown in FIG. 15A, by for example anadhesive. An example of such an arrangement as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,820,245, commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, which isincorporated in its entirety by reference herein. The PCB optionallyincludes glare sensing and ambient photo sensors and assemblyelectrochromic circuitry that automatically dims the reflectivity of theelectrochromic mirror element when glare conditions are detected atnight time when mounted in the vehicle. Alternately, the PCB may be snapconnected, by a clip or otherwise attached, to a plastic plate thatitself is adhered to the electrochromic element. Importantly, theelectrochromic module comprising the electrochromic reflective elementand attached electronics, may provide scatter proofing means, and thelike. Preferably, the electrochromic element module forms a relativelyslim package, at its widest cross-section the package is preferably lessthan or equal to about 25 mm in dimension, more preferably less than orequal to about 15 mm in dimension, and most preferably less than orequal to about 8 mm in dimension. By placing, as shown in FIG. 15A, allnecessary electronics and the reflector element forward in the casetoward the driver, the space between the rear of the reflector modulecan be utilized for storage, such as by way of recess 224. Asillustrated in FIG. 15A, the storage space 222 is located in case 212 ata location behind the reflective element 214. Preferably, the reflectiveelement comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate with anelectrochromic medium disposed between, such as a solid polymer matrixelectrochromic medium such as is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/350,930, filed Jul. 12, 1999, entitled ELECTROCHROMICPOLYMERIC SOLID FILMS, MANUFACTURING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES USING SUCHFILMS, AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING SUCH SOLID FILMS AND DEVICES, toDesaraju V. Varaprasad et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,306, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Mostpreferably, the front substrate comprises a glass plate of thicknessless than about 1.6 mm, most preferably about 1.1 mm thickness or lower,and the rear substrate comprises a glass plate of thickness equal to orgreater than about 1.6 mm, more preferably greater than about 1.8 mmthickness, most preferably equal to or greater than about 2.0 mmthickness. The rearmost surface of the rear substrate (the fourthsurface as known in the mirror art) is reflector coated with a highreflecting metal film such as of aluminum or silver, or an alloy ofaluminum or alloy of silver. Most preferably, the frontmost surface ofthe rear substrate (the third surface as known in the mirror art) isreflector coated with a high reflecting metal film such as of aluminumor silver, or an alloy of aluminum or alloy of silver. Also, and asillustrated in FIG. 15A, storage space 222 is located behind thereflective element 214, and is positioned in the space between thereflective element and the windshield W of the vehicle, when theinterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle. Preferably,the trough-shaped storage space has a length dimension (parallel to thelong dimension of casing 212) of at least about 3 inches, morepreferably at least about 4 inches, most preferably at least about 5inches, and a width dimension (perpendicular to the long dimension ofcasing 212) preferably of at least about 0.75 inches, more preferably atleast about 1.5 inches, and most preferably of at least about 2.5inches. Note that use and operation (such as coloration) of anelectrochromic mirror element such as described above can reduce theeffect of radio and electromagnetic interference on any electroniccircuitry (such as circuitry for a video screen, automatic mirrordimming circuitry, sound processing circuitry, compass circuitry)disposed behind the electrochromic mirror element in the cavity of thecasing of the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Optionally, the front surface of the front substrate (i.e. the firstsurface as known in the mirror art) 214 a can be coated with a surfacecoating or otherwise modified so as to reduce the build-up ofcondensation or mist such as can occur in humid climates. For example,the front surface of the front substrate 214 a (which is the surfaceupon which condensation/mist might gather or which would be subject toraindrops should the vehicle be a convertible and be driven with hooddown during rain) may be optionally coated with a water wettingcharacteristic modification coating such as a hydrophilic coating suchas a photocatalytic hydrophilic coating system such as is disclosed inJapanese Pat. Abstract JP11050006A, issued Feb. 23, 1999, entitledPRETREATMENT OF SURFACE FORMING PHOTOCATALYTIC HYDROPHILIC FILM ANDCLEANING AGENT AND UNDERCOATING COMPOSITION USED THEREIN, to Mitsumasaet al. of Toto Ltd, and in JP10330131A, issued Dec. 15, 1998, entitledHYDROPHILIC THIN FILM AND VEHICULAR MIRROR AND GLASS PRODUCT USING THESAME HYDROPHILIC THIN FILM, to Tsutomu et al of Ichikoh Ind. Ltd, and inJP 10036144A, issued Feb. 10, 1998, entitled ANTIFOGGING ELEMENT, toToru et al of Murakami Corporation, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,187,issued Mar. 3, 1998, entitled ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS AND DEVICES, toVaraprasad et al. of Donnelly Corporation, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Also, such wettingcharacteristic modification coatings and techniques, such asphotocatalytic hydrophilic coatings, can be used for the first(frontmost) surface of a non-electrochromic reflective element such as aprismatic interior mirror reflective element (and for the first surfaceof electrochromic exterior mirror reflective elements and of metalcoated, such as chromium coated, exterior non-electrochromic mirrorreflective elements).

Referring to FIG. 16A, the numeral 224′ generally designates an insertwhich may be placed in recess 224 of the previous embodiment. It shouldbe understood, that when insert 224′ is incorporated, ribs 246 may beomitted from recess 224. As best seen in FIG. 16A, insert 224′ includesa trough shaped unitary body 230′ similar to recess 224 described inreference to FIG. 16. In the illustrated embodiment, body 230′ includesone or more tabs 231′ which extend upwardly from side wall 232′ to easeremoval of insert 224′ from recess 224. Preferably, each tab 231′ has alow profile to minimize distraction to the driver. Alternately, side232′ may include a raised lip to form a gripping surface so that theinsert can be gripped and withdrawn from casing 212. It should beunderstood the insert 224′ may be customized to suit the specific needsof the driver or purchaser of the vehicle. For example, body 230′ mayinclude a plurality of ribs 246′ similar to ribs 246 in order to atleast partially compartmentalize the space 247′ in body 230′. Inaddition, body 230′ may be formed from a flexible material, such as anelastomeric material, including, for example, rubber, which increasesthe flexibility of body 230′ to ease insertion and removal from recess224. In addition, by forming body 230′ by a resilient material, body230′ absorbs some impact and reduces the potential for noise beinggenerated by articles held loosely in insert 224′ and/or from theirvibration when accommodated in space 247′. It can be appreciated thatthe shape, number, and size of the compartments may be varied to achievethe specific needs of the customer. It should be understood further thatthe customer may be provided with a number of inserts to accommodate thevarious needs, for example an insert for glasses, an insert for holdingother articles including coins, workpieces (such as a writing instrumentsuch as a pen, pencil or biro), debris/trash or the like. Furthermore,insert 224′ can be colored different than mirror casing 212 to providequick identification of the location of the insert.

Thus, by providing a raised lip portion or by color coding or the like,a mirror-casing storage compartment identifier is provided thataffirmatively but preferably unobtrusively draws the driver's and/orpassenger's attention to the location and availability of the in-casingstorage of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, a text oricon identifier (such as, for example, “TRASH”) can be printed orotherwise provided along the top bezel portion or the mirror casing oron any extended lip portion of the insert, as described above, in orderto inform of the utility availability. Thus, for example, a driverhiring a rental car, and unwrapping the wrapping from a piece of chewinggum, can, upon noticing via the mirror-casing storage compartmentidentifier that a trash receptacle is available within the interiormirror casing itself, can chose to place the gum wrapper into the troughprovided in the mirror casing. Debris placed here is not visible to thedriver and/or other occupants of the vehicle due to the high-mountedlocation within the vehicle cabin of the interior mirror assembly, andso a clean and tidy interior cabin is maintained while still providing atrash receptacle. When the mirror-located trash receptacle is near full,the driver simply removes the insert, disposes of the accumulated trashtherein by depositing it into an external trash receptacle, and thenreplaces the now emptied insert into the trough-like storage spaceprovided within the casing of the interior rearview mirror assembly.

The present embodiment provides a rearview mirror assembly with astorage location that is easy to reach and, further, when used does notcause the driver to redirect his or her eyes far, or if at all, from thefront of the vehicle. The use of a mirror location also minimizes eyestrain. In this manner, the unused space behind the electrochromicreflective element mirror assembly is optimally used. Furthermore, sincethe mirror assembly is a known location in the vehicle, drivers canreach up to the mirror assembly without mental distraction since themovement is essentially a reflex action or an automatic movement whichdoes not require much, if any, concentration from the driver. Therefore,the mirror assembly 210 which is centrally mounted provides an ideallocation for storage space and does not obstruct the driver's view.

Referring to FIG. 17, a fourth embodiment 310 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Similar to theprevious embodiments, rearview mirror assembly 310 includes a mirrorcasing or housing 312 and a reflective element 314, which is mounted toa windshield button by a support 316. Reference is made to the firstembodiment for details of reflective element 314, optional components onor in housing 312, and suitable material for housing 312.

Assembly 310 includes a storage space 322 incorporated into housing 312,which like the previous embodiment is easily accessible to the driver orother occupants of the vehicle without creating much, if any,distraction or obstruction to the driver's view. In the illustratedembodiment, reflective element 314 is mounted to a bezel portion orretaining rim 312 a which supports reflective element assembly 314 inhousing 312. Storage space 322 is provided by a storage bin 324 which ismounted to bezel 312 a to provide a compartment within housing 312.Referring to FIG. 18, bezel 312 a is pivotally mounted to housing 312 byone or more hinge connections 326 (only one shown). In this manner,bezel 312 a comprises a pivotal door or hatch that provides access tothe inside of casing 312. Hinge connections 326 are preferably mountedrearward of bezel 312 a so that hinges 326 are hidden from a vehicleoccupant's view. For example, each hinge 326 preferably comprises a pairof tabs or flanges 328, which are formed or welded to the rearwardsurface of bezel 312 a, and corresponding tabs or flanges 330, which arewelded to the lower wall 332 of housing 312. Tabs 328 and 330 arepivotally coupled together by a pin 334 which extends through therespective tabs or flanges to permit bezel 312 a, reflective element314, and bin 324 to be moved between a closed position, in which storagebin 324 is contained within housing 312 and reflective element 314 ispositioned for rearward viewing, and an open position illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18 to provide access to storage space 322. Storage space322, therefore, provides storage for accessories such as glasses, pens,money, keys, or the like similar to the previous embodiment. Storagespace 322 can also serve as a waste bin, and in this regard, it ispreferable that the bin be removable for cleaning.

In the illustrated embodiment, bin 324 extends substantially the fulllength of the interior housing 312; however, it can be appreciated thatbin 324 may be shaped or shortened to accommodate components withinhousing 312, for example electrical wiring or other components describedin reference to the first embodiment of interior rearview mirrorassembly 10.

In preferred form, bezel 312 a supports a latch, such as a spring biaslatch 336 for engaging an engagement structure 338 provided on housing312. Engagement structure 338 comprises a U-shaped loop with anengagement surface or opening to receive latch 336. Preferably, latch336 and engagement structure 338 are located at peripheral portion 340of opening 342 of housing 312. Most preferably, latch 336 lies in thesame plane as bezel 312 a when in the locked position so that it doesnot create a discontinuity in the outline of the mirror assembly andpotentially create a distraction to the driver. It should be understood,that bezel 312 a may be biased in its closed position by a spring biasedhinge, thus eliminating the need for a latch. In addition, it can beappreciated that the size and shape of bin 324 may be varied and,furthermore, may be compartmentalized with intermediate walls or ribs,as noted in reference to the previous embodiment.

A fifth embodiment 410 of the rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 19. Rearview mirror assembly 410 is ofsimilar construction to mirror assembly 10 and includes a housing 412, asupport 416 and mounting bracket, for mounting housing 412 to awindshield button or the like, a reflective element (not shown), and abezel (not shown). Mounted to a forward facing side or rear wall 428 ofhousing 412 is a light assembly 424, similar to light assembly 124.Therefore, reference is made to assembly 110 for details on lightassembly 424 and other dockable accessories and their preferred mountingarrangements to housing 412.

In the illustrated embodiment, housing 412 includes a second storagespace 426 which is provided on forward facing side or rear wall 428 ofhousing 412. Storage space 426 is defined by a recessed area in backwall 430 which extends from an upper wall 432 of housing 412 to a lowerwall 434 of housing 412. Back wall 430 is generally planar and extendsbetween two opposed side walls 436 and 438 which extend inwardly toform, together with back wall 430, recess 439. Projecting outwardly fromback wall 430 is another storage space provided by an accessoryattachment member 440, such as a clip for supporting generally flataccessories, such as a toll card, an access card, a parking ticket, anote pad, insurance or registration papers, maps, or the like.Preferably, such a clip positively grips the accessory such as by springtension action or the like onto back wall 430, such that the accessoryis easily insertable and detachable or removable from the accessoryattachment member. In the illustrated embodiment, accessory attachmentmember 440 extends substantially over back wall 430 between side walls436 and 438, but it should be understood that attachment member 440 maybe shortened and extend over a smaller distance while still providingthe same function.

In preferred form, attachment member 440 comprises a plastic materialsimilar to housing 412. Attachment member 440 may be mounted to backwall 430 either by an adhesive or fasteners or the like. Moreover,attachment member 440 may be welded to back wall 430. Preferably,attachment member 440 is molded together with housing 412. Alternately,attachment member 440 may comprise a metal clip, which is secured byadhesives or other fastening means to housing 412.

Optionally, housing 412 may include a fourth storage space 446 providedon rear wall 428 for storing other accessories including, for examplecoins, tokens, workpieces, such as pens, pencils, tools, pen lights,cassettes, CD's, a pager, paper work, or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, fourth storage space 446 comprises an elongated cavity orrecess 448 formed in upper wall 432 of housing 412 which extends betweenend walls 436 and 438 behind a back wall 430. Recess 448 may extend thefull height of back wall 430 or may terminate at some intermediateheight behind back wall 430. It should be understood that storage space446 may include intermediate ribs or intermediate walls to defineseparate compartments within storage space 446, as described inreference to mirror assembly 210.

A sixth embodiment 510 of the interior rearview mirror assembly of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 20. Rearview mirror assembly510 includes a mirror casing or housing 512, with a retaining rim orbezel 512 a, and a reflective element 514, similar to the previousembodiments. Housing 512 may be mounted to the vehicle windshield,headliner or the like as described in reference to housing 12. Bezel 512a extends around the peripheral portion reflective element 514 andoptionally includes buttons 513 a, indicators 513 b, or displays 513 cwhich are commonly known in the art. Similar to the previous embodiment,rearview mirror assembly 510 includes a storage space 526 for supportingan accessory, such as a writing pad 528, a pager, or the like thereon.Storage space 526 is formed on a front side 530 of housing 512 and ispreferably formed by a planar surface 530 a adjacent bezel 512 a. Bezel512 a includes a planar segment 512 b which terminates along withreflective element 514 inwardly of peripheral portion 512 e of housing512. In this manner, pad 528 may lay substantially flush with bezel 512a to reduce the visual impact of the pad to the driver therebyminimizing the distraction to the driver. Pad 528 may comprise, forexample a sticky note pad, and, therefore, be adhered to planar surface530 a by the adhesive provided on the back of most conventional stickynote pads. Alternately, surface 530 may include other releasablefasteners, such as Velcro or a clip or other retaining structures tosecure pad 528 to surface 530 a, some examples of which are described inreference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 24. Furthermore,housing 512 may include a recess behind planar surface to receive clips'of a pager or the like.

Optionally positioned below the chin area of bezel 512 a is anotherstorage space provided by an accessory attachment member 532, such as aworkpiece or writing instrument holder, such as a clip. For example,such a clip preferably positively grips the accessory, such as the penor pencil, typically by spring tension action or the like between pliantfingers or arms, such that the accessory, such as a pen, is readilyinsertable and detachable/removable from the accessory attachmentmember. Attachment member 532 may hold a pencil or pen, or alternatelyanother elongated item such as a pen-type flashlight, a tire pressuregauge, or the like. Attachment member 532 may be secured to housing 512by an adhesive, or a releasable fastener, such as Velcro, or otherfastening means. Preferably, attachment member 532 is plastic and ismolded with a lower wall 534 of housing 512. Attachment member 532 laysgenerally flat and aligns with top surface 530 of housing 512 tominimize the protrusion and, therefore, the distraction to the driver.

In addition, housing 512 may support one or more map illuminating ordashboard illuminating lights 540 and 542, for example such as lightsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,245, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 21, a seventh embodiment 710 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Mirror assembly710 includes a mirror casing or housing 712, a retaining rim or bezel712 a, and a reflective element 714. Reference is made to the firstembodiment for description of the housing and bezel material, andreflective element 714 and, further, for preferred mounting arrangementsof housing 712 to the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, housing712 includes a storage space 722 which is defined by a slotted recessedportion 724, which extends into housing 712 from end wall 730 of housing712. Recessed portion 724 is formed between opposed walls 726 and 728and extends between upper wall 732 and lower wall 734 of housing 712 todefine a receptacle for an accessory holder 736. Accessory holder 736may support or hold a plurality of accessories, including for example,cards, paper work, documents, such as insurance or registration papers,writing pads, maps, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment,accessory holder 736 comprises a writing pad holder and includes amolded body 738 having upper and lower walls 740 and 742 which align andfollow the contour of housing 712. In most preferred form, walls 740 and742 are flush with outer surface 732 a, 734 a of upper and lower walls732 and 734, respectively, when holder 736 is inserted into recess 724.Body 738 also includes an end wall 744 and a back wall 746, with endwall 744 abutting an inner wall 748 of recess 724 when holder 736 isfully inserted into recess 724. Distal edge 746 a of back wall 746 alsopreferably follows the contour of housing 712 and, most preferably, isgenerally flush with outer surface 730 a of end wall 730 of housing 712when holder 736 is inserted into storage space 722.

Back wall 746 defines a storage space 750 between end wall 744 and upperand lower walls 740 and 742, which is preferably sized to hold a writingpad 752, such as a sticky note pad. Pad 752 may be held in place by theadhesive back, Velcro, or may be held in place by friction between theedges of pad 752 and upper and lower walls 740 and 742. In addition,back wall 746 preferably includes a gripping surface 754 to permittactile identification of holder 736 by the driver of the vehicle, thusminimizing the distraction to the driver. For example, gripping surface754 may comprise one or more projecting ribs or recessed grooves. Inaddition, gripping surfaces 754 provides improved gripping of body 738.In this manner, body 738 can be grabbed without requiring the operatorof the vehicle to take his or her eyes off the front of the vehicle.

Holder 736 is held in recess 724 preferably by friction. For example, asshown in the illustrated embodiment, side wall 726 includes a pluralityof ribs 726 a which project inwardly toward holder 736 to provide africtional force between housing 712 and holder 736 (FIG. 21). Ribs 726a may comprise, for example resilient ribs, such as rubber ribs, toprovide enhanced friction. Alternately, one or more walls 726 and 728may support a spring for biasing holder against wall 726 or 728 forfrictionally holding holder 736 in recess 724.

Housing 712 may optionally include a second storage space defined by anaccessory attachment member 756 which is preferably molded to upperhousing wall 732. Optionally, attachment member 756 may be separatelyformed and adhered to upper wall 732 by an adhesive or by a detachableor releasable fastener, such as Velcro, or any other fastening means.Attachment member 756 includes resilient arms which form a clip andprovides a convenient location for storing a tool or workpiece, such asa pencil or pen, which can be easily retrieved by an occupant of thevehicle for use with pad 752. It should be understood that attachmentmember 756 may be located, for example, below bezel 712 a in the chinarea of mirror casing 712, or on forward facing side or rear wall 754 ofhousing 712, or on an end wall of housing 712.

Referring to FIG. 22, a ninth embodiment 810 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Rearview mirrorassembly 810 includes a mirror housing 812, a bezel 812 a, and areflective element assembly 814, similar to the previous embodiments. Inthe illustrated embodiment, housing 812 is supported by a support arm816 with a modified break-away mounting bracket or mirror mount 817. Inthe illustrated embodiment, support arm 816 includes a pair of ballmounts 824 a and 824 b for extending into a receiving socket on housing812 and into a receiving socket in bracket 817.

As best seen in FIG. 23, break-away mounting bracket 817 includes a body818 with a generally planar base portion 820 and an upwardly extendingtapered portion 822 having a spherical socket or receptacle into whichball mount 824 b projects to permit repositioning of interior mirrorhousing 812 about bracket 817. Body 818 includes a windshield facingside 824, which is configured to releasably mount to a conventionalwindshield mounted button, for example, a button such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,820,097, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein. Body 818 further includes a rearward facing planarsurface 825 which defines a storage surface 826 for storing anaccessory, such as a writing pad 828, such as a sticky note pad. In thismanner, when assembly 810 is mounted to a vehicle windshield orheadliner, pad 828 is easily accessible by the driver or occupant of thevehicle and, furthermore, is located in a known location that does notobstruct the driver's view. Preferably, pad 828 is adhered to planarsurface 825 by the adhesive provided on most conventional sticky notepads. Alternately, pad 828 may be mounted by a releasable fastener, suchas Velcro, or may include a stiff backing member for inserting into acorresponding receiving structure provided on planar surface 825, aswill be understood by those skilled in the art.

In addition, body 818 preferably includes another storage space providedby an accessory attachment member similar to that shown at 440, 532 or756 above, or one or more tubular members formed on bottom wall 818 a ofbody 818 for holding a tool or workpiece 830, such as a writinginstrument, for example a pen or pencil or the like. Preferably, suchattachment members are integrally molded with body 818; however, it canbe appreciated that the attachment member may be adhered to body 818 bya suitable adhesive or fasteners. Reference is made to the previousembodiments for examples of suitable attachment members, such as clipsor workpiece holders. It should be understood from the foregoing, thatpad 828 and pencil 830 are conveniently placed behind the rearviewmirror housing 812 and thus do not obstruct the view of the driver ofthe vehicle. Furthermore, by positioning pad 828 and pencil 830 on themirror mounting bracket, minimal, if any, distraction is required toaccess or to retrieve the pad or pencil since the pad and pencil arelocated in a known location in the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 24, a second embodiment 917 of a mirror mountingbracket or mirror mount is illustrated. Mirror mounting bracket 917 maybe used in conjunction with any one of the illustrated embodiments ofthe interior rearview mirror assemblies and, further, with otherinterior rearview mirror assemblies. Mirror mounting bracket 917includes a body 918 which supports a ball member 918 a and is adapted toprovide a break-away mount to a conventional windshield mounted button,as described in reference to the previous embodiment. Ball member 918 ais engaged by a support arm (not shown) similar to support arm 16.Extending from a lower end 918 b of body 918 is a storage space providedby a pendent accessory holder 924, such as a note pad holder, a mapholder, or a holder for other generally flat accessories, for example awriting pad, a plastic card, such as a credit card, an access card or atoll card, or the like. Holder 924 includes a body with a planar portion925 and an accessory attachment member 926, such as a clip, formed at anupper end of planar portion 925 which projects downwardly and togetherwith planar surface 925 a of planar portion 925 forms a storage spacefor supporting an accessory.

Holder 924 may be mounted to telescope from bracket 917. For example,holder 924 may be mounted on a telescoping member or jack action or thelike, or move down to an extended position below the mirror casing andthen retract for storage. When holder 924 is extended down, holder 924may include a foldable support or finger, which can be selectively movedto extend from the windshield facing side of holder 924 to touch thewindow to provide support when holder 924 is in its extended position.In this manner, holder 924 provides a firm or substantially rigidwriting surface even when the holder is extended. Optionally, holder 924may be pivotally mounted to the mirror mounting bracket for reorientingtoward the driver or other occupants of the vehicle. In addition,accessory attachment member 926 can be located elsewhere on the mirrorassembly. For example, attachment member 926 may be located on themirror case, such as on the rear wall or forward facing side of thecasing. By providing a spring-loaded element, such as spring-loadedgripping fingers, to the pendent accessory, a map can be held below themirror assembly when mounted in the vehicle in a position readilyviewable by the driver.

Optionally, holder 924 may be integrally molded with body 918 of mirrormounting bracket 917. However, it can be appreciated that holder 924 maybe secured to bottom surface 918 a of body 918 by an adhesive or othersuitable fastening means. Preferably mounted to a lower end 930 ofplanar portion 925 is a second storage space provided by a secondaccessory attachment member 932, such as a workpiece attachment member,for example a clip which positively holds the accessory, for example bytension between two flexible fingers or arms or the like. Attachmentmember 932 may comprise an integrally molded member having a generallyC-shaped cross section similar to attachment member 756 described inreference to FIG. 21 or include a J-shaped body similar to attachmentmember 532 illustrated in FIG. 20. Alternately, attachment member 932may comprise a tubular member with an elongated cylindrical passage forholding a workpiece or a pair of cylindrical or ring shaped members,which are aligned to define a pair of spaced apart support surfaces fora workpiece, such as a pencil, pen, pressure gauge, pen-light or thelike, such as those shown at 440, 532 or 756 above.

A tenth embodiment 1010 of an interior rearview mirror assembly of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 25. Rearview mirror assembly1010 includes a mirror casing or housing 1012, a bezel 1012 a and areflective element 1014. Reference is made to the first embodiment forsuitable materials for housing 1012 and bezel 1012 a and a descriptionof reflective element 1014. Bezel 1012 a extends around the peripheralportion of reflective element 1014 and includes an enlarged side area1016, which provides a location for a power supply connection 1018, forexample a vehicle ignition/battery power supply, such as a 12-volt or42-volt power supply connection. Similar to conventional power suppliesprovided in dashboards or consoles of most conventional vehicles, powersupply connection 1018 includes a cylindrical casing 1020 which extendsinto assembly 1010 through bezel 1016. The contacts for the power supply(not shown) are coupled to the vehicle electrical system by way ofwiring which extends through housing and exits housing 1012 preferablythrough mirror mount (not shown), which may be of similar constructionto the ball mount illustrated in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. In thismanner, accessories, such as radar detectors (preferably mirror mountedradar detectors) or the like, may be plugged into the interior rearviewmirror assembly 1010 thus reducing the length of wire required for theradar detector to reach most conventional power supplies and furtherreducing the distraction of dangling wires associated with conventionalradar detectors.

Note that it is desirable and preferable to use switching power suppliescomprising a switching regulator circuit (such as are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/347,807 and titled “Busbars forElectrically Powered Cells” by Anoop Agrawal et al. of DonnellyCorporation, filed Jul. 2, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,317,248, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein), andparticularly for electrically operated automotive devices andaccessories such as disclosed herein. Such switching power suppliespreferably comprise a switching regulator (such as National LM78S40available from National Semiconductor, Santa Clara, Calif.)) and pulsewidth modulation to achieve a DC to DC voltage conversion with enhancedconversion efficiency and minimized power dissipation.

In addition, housing 1012 includes a storage space 1026 in the form ofone or more coin holders 1028 a, 1028 b, and 1028 c. Coin holders 1028a, 1028 b, and 1028 c comprise cylindrical members of different sizes ordiameters which extend into housing 1012 rearward of reflective elementassembly 1014. Each coin holder 1028 a, 1028 b, and 1028 c includes anassociated release mechanism for releasing coins held in the respectiveholder. Preferably, the release mechanism is accessible from the forwardfacing side or rear wall 1030 of housing 1012, which is easilyaccessible by the driver of the vehicle. In one form, each coin holderincludes cylindrical members which extend from a lower wall 1032 ofmirror housing 1012 to an upper wall 1034 so that coins may be loadedinto their respective coin holders through the upper wall 1032 ofhousing 1012. In order to maximize the number of coins held in therespective coin holders, each latch 1029 is preferably located in closeproximity to lower openings 1036 a, 1036 b, 1036 c of each respectivecoin holder. In one form, latches 1029 comprise spring biased memberswhich block openings 1036 a, 1036 b, 1036 c to prevent the coins heldtherein from being released through the bottom openings of eachrespective holder until such a time that the respective latch isreleased from its extended position by the operator of the vehicle.

In preferred form, housing 1012 includes a second storage space 1036inside housing 1012. Storage space 1036 may support a supply of facialtissue, wipes, a tape dispenser, or a supply of air freshener. Thetissue, wipe, tape, or air freshener is removed or ejected from housing1012 through an opening 1038 provided in bottom wall 1032 of housing1012. For example, the supply of air freshener may be provided by anaerosol container or cartridge 1040 which is supported on and mounted tolower wall 1032 by one or more retainers, such as clips, which may beformed on the interior of housing 1012. To minimize noise and inducedvibration, preferably the cartridge of the air freshener supply isrigidly mounted to housing wall 1032. Also, optionally provided onbottom wall 1032 is an actuator 1042, such as a button, which releasesthe air freshener from container 1040 through opening 1038. Such airfresheners can include ion generators, such as negative ion generators.In addition, the vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly may includean air purifying system, such as an ion generator, more preferably, anegative ion generator, or an electronic air freshener, such as an odorgenerating air freshener, for example odor generating air freshenerswhich are activated by heat such as powered by the vehicle integralheater power or a “plug-in” type air freshener that is coupled to thevehicle ignition/battery supply via, for example, a power supply socketor the like. Thus, for example, a fresh smelling (such as pine or thelike) odor generating element can be inserted as a cartridge into areceiving receptacle incorporated in the interior rearview mirrorassembly (such as, referring to FIG. 1, within casing 12 or referring toFIG. 10, attaching to mirror support arm 116 or bracket 117).Preferably, the odor generating element is heated when received in theinterior mirror assembly, such as by a PTC heater, as known in the art,connected to the vehicle ignition system (most preferably, only when theignition is on in order to obviate running down the vehicle battery whenthe vehicle is parked).

Moreover, a vehicle cabin air monitor can be incorporated into mirrorassembly 10 such as within housing 1012, that includes reflectiveelement 1014, or in a pod or housing that attaches to the mirror mount.Reference is made to patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,172,613, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, for an example of a suitable pod. For example, levels ofcarbon monoxide may be monitored by such air monitors provided at themirror location, including in the interior mirror assembly casing.Preferably, the air monitor includes an intake, preferably a fanassisted intake that samples the air within the cabin. In preferredform, when the vehicle level of carbon monoxide exceeds a thresholdlevel, the monitor takes appropriate action, for example sounding analarm, shutting off the engine, and/or opening windows. Such an airmonitoring system is preferably used with a remote ignition system suchas is commonly used in cold climates when the engine is started upremotely. While the vehicle is idling with its engine running after aremotely-actuated engine start, there is a danger of carbon monoxidebuild-up. A mirror-mounted carbon monoxide monitoring system can shutoff the engine upon detection of an in-cabin carbon dioxide level thatexceeds a predetermined safe limit, thus potentially saving the life ofa driver or occupant who otherwise might enter and use the vehicle. Sucha vehicle air monitoring system protects against the build up of carbonmonoxide within the vehicle cabin, for example, to provide a suicideprevention function. Alternately or in addition, carbon monoxidemonitors can be incorporated into the interior rearview mirror housing.When the carbon monoxide level in the vehicle exceeds a certain level,the operation of the vehicle can be disabled by the vehicle controlsystem provided the wheels are not moving. In other words, the vehicleis locked out. Alternately, the system can take an action in response todetection of an in-cabin carbon monoxide level exceeding a safetythreshold, such as lowering windows or limiting how far the windows canclose, or setting off an alarm, or can alert emergency services of thecarbon monoxide hazard in the vehicle such as by wireless communicationto a telematic service such as ONSTAR™ or RESCU™.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the numeral 1110 generally designates asecond embodiment of the mirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.Mirror assembly 1110 includes a housing or casing 1112, a reflectiveelement 1114, and a storage space 1120. Storage space 1120 comprises acavity formed in casing 1112 for housing an accessory 1124. Similar toaccessory 24, accessory 1124 may comprise a vanity mirror or a displaydevice, including a video display device as described in reference tothe first embodiment. For further details of casing 1112, reflectiveelement 1114, and other electrical and electronic devices which may behoused in casing 1112, reference is made to assembly 10.

Accessory 1124 is mounted within cavity 1120 of mirror housing 1112 formovement between a retracted position and an extended position, as shownin FIG. 26. Preferably, when in its retracted position, accessory 1124is substantially contained in cavity 1120 and, most preferably, suchthat accessory 1124 is completely contained in cavity 1120 so thataccessory 1124 does not project from casing 1112 and potentially createa distraction to the driver of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 27, accessory 1124 is mounted interiorly of casing1112 in cavity 1120 by a pivot member 1126. Pivot member 1126 permitsaccessory 1124 to be moved between its retracted position within casing1112 and its extended position by pivoting about a pivot axis 1126 a. Inthe illustrated embodiment, pivot member 1126 includes an elongate body1132 with opposed support pins 1134 which are pivotally mounted insupport members 1136, such as flanges, provided in casing 1112.Preferably, support members 1136 comprise flanges which projectdownwardly from upper wall 1112 a of casing 1112 and which space supportpins 1134 inwardly from rear wall 1138 so as to permit accessory 1124 topivot to its retracted position within casing 1112 between back wall1138 and reflective element 1114. It should be understood, that supportmembers 1136 may extend to rear wall or may include reinforcing ribs orwebs which extend to rear wall 1138 to provide stiffness to supportmembers 1136.

Accessory 1124 is pivotally mounted to pivot member 1126 about a pivotaxis 1128 a to permit repositioning of accessory 1124 about a generallyvertical axis when accessory 1124 is moved to its extended position suchas illustrated in FIG. 26. In this manner, once accessory 1124 is movedor pivoted to its extended position outside casing 1112, the position ofaccessory 1124 may be easily adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle, forexample the driver or a passenger of the vehicle.

As noted above and described in reference to the first embodiment of theinterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, accessory1124 may comprise a vanity mirror or may comprise a display device. Inpreferred form, accessory 1124 includes a housing 1128 in which anelement 1130, such as a reflective element or display element, issupported. Housing 1128 may include a ball mount to pivotally mounthousing 1128 to pivot member 1126 or may include a socket to receive aball mount provided on pivot member 1126 to permit accessory 1124 totilt about the horizontal axis as well. Alternately, housing 1128 may bepivotally mounted by a pivot pin which generally permits rotation ofhousing 1128 and element 1130 only about axis 1128 a.

As best understood from FIG. 27, when accessory 1124 is pivoted on pivotmember 1126 about pivot access 1126 a and generally aligned with pivotmember 1126 along axis 1126 a, accessory 1124 can then be retracted intocavity 1120 behind reflective element 1114.

A third embodiment 1210 of the interior rearview mirror assemblyillustrated in FIGS. 1-8 is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. Mirror assembly1210 includes a mirror casing 1212, a reflective element 1214, which issupported in casing 1212, and a storage space 1222. Housed in storagespace 1222, is a pendent accessory 1224. As described in reference toaccessory 24, accessory 1224 may comprise a vanity mirror or a displaydevice. For further details of description of housing 1212, reflectiveelement 1214, and components optionally supported in casing 1212, andvariation of accessory 1124 reference is made to assembly 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, storage space 1222 comprises a cavity1222 a which extends into casing 1112 through an opening formed orprovided in bottom wall 1112 a. Cavity 1222 a is preferably formed bymolding and extends behind reflective element 1114 into casing 1112.Accessory 1224 is pivotally mounted in cavity 1222 a by a pivot member1226 as will be more fully described below, so that accessory 1224 canbe moved between an extended position for viewing by an occupant of thevehicle (shown in FIG. 23) or a retracted or storage position withinstorage space 1222. Preferably, when in its storage position, accessory1224 is substantially contained within storage space 1222 and, mostpreferably, completely contained and retracted into storage space 1222.

Accessory 1224 includes a housing 1228 and an element 1230, such as areflective element or a display element. Reference is made to element 30for examples and further description of element 1230. Preferably,housing 1228 includes a body 1228 a with a recessed central portion orrecessed wall 1234 which defines a perimeter wall 1234 a. Element 1230is supported in recessed portion 1234 and preferably mounted for pivotalmovement in recessed portion 1234 so that the orientation of element1230 can be adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle. Preferably, element1230 is mounted to permit manual adjustment of element 1230; however, itshould be understood that remote adjustment can be provided by anactuator, such as an electronic actuator, which are well known in theart. In the illustrated embodiment, recessed portion 1234 includes aball mount 1236 which projects outwardly and on which element 1230 ismounted by a socket member which is provided on rear surface 1230 a ofelement 1230. The ball and socket arrangement provides for pivotalmovement of element 1230 about horizontal and vertical axes. Preferably,when mounted on ball mount 1236, element 1230 generally lies in the sameplane as upper surface 1234 b of perimeter wall 1234 a when in anon-tilted position so that element 1230 will not project outwardly fromhousing 1228 so that housing 1228 can be quickly and easily pivoted toits retracted position within storage space 1222. As would be understoodby those skilled in the art, element 1230 may alternately include a ballmount mounted to its rear surface 1230 a with recessed portion 1234having a socket member for receiving the ball mount of element 1230.

Referring to FIG. 29, at least lower edge 1238 a and side edge 1238 b ofhousing 1228 preferably follow the contours of casing 1212 so that whenretracted, housing 1228 generally follows the contour of casing 1212.Moreover, housing 1228 is preferably the same size as the opening tocavity 1222 so that when retracted, housing 1228 appears to be a unitarypart of the mirror.

Referring to FIG. 29, housing 1228 supports pivot member 1226 andpreferably includes a stop 1232 which is spaced from pivot member 1226and limits rotation of housing 1228 about pivot member 1226 by engagingbottom wall 1212 a of casing 1212 (as shown in FIG. 28). In preferredform, as previously noted, housing 1228 is commensurate in size with theopening or mouth of cavity 1222 a so that when retracted, the lowersurface 1224 a of accessory 1224 follows casing 1212 and forms a unitarypart of mirror assembly 1210. Pivot member 1226 is mounted in case 1212on a support member, such as a support flange 1240, which is formed orotherwise provided on bottom wall 1212 a of casing 1212. Accessory 1224is mounted for pivotal movement on support member 1248 by pivot member1226 which is preferably journaled in member 1240. In preferred form,when fully retracted into storage space 1222, accessory 1224 does notprovide any obstruction to the driver's view through the frontwindshield of the vehicle; instead, accessory 1224 is preferablysubstantially hidden from view when retracted. When extended from casing1212, accessory 1224 projects downwardly from bottom wall 1212 a toprovide, for example a vanity mirror or a display member including avideo display, as previously noted with the orientation of element 1230within housing 1228 being preferably manually adjustable by an occupantof the vehicle, including the driver.

As described in reference to the previous embodiments, element 1230 maycomprise a reflective element, including a flat reflector, a reflectorhaving a compound curvature, an aspheric or convex mirror reflector, ormay comprise a display screen for displaying information, such asvehicle status, a rearview vision system, or a baby minder system aspreviously described. In addition, housing 1228 may support a pluralityof light sources, such as incandescent light sources or non-incandescentlight sources, such as LEDs, around element 1220 to provide a vanitymirror.

Referring to FIG. 30, a second embodiment 1310 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 15, 15A, and 16 is shown. Mirrorassembly 1310 includes a housing or casing 1312, a reflective element1314, and support arm 1316, and mounting bracket 1317. It should beunderstood that other support arms and mounting arrangements may be usedto mount assembly 1310 onto a vehicle headliner or windshield. Referenceis made to assembly 210 for further description of casing 1312,reflective element 1314, support arm 1316, and bracket 1317. Similar tocasing 212, upper wall 1312 a of casing 1312 includes a storage space1322 for supporting an accessory 1324. In the illustrated embodiment,accessory 1324 comprises a dispensing accessory for dispensing wipes,including “wet wipes” or glass cleaner wipes or the like, or tissues sothat an occupant of the vehicle can easily and quickly retrieve a wipeor tissue T. Storage space 1322 may be provided by a recess, similar torecess 224, and by molding a recess into upper wall 1312 a of casing1312 or may be provided by an insert which is inserted into upper wall1312 a through an opening, similar to opening 222 a.

Dispensing accessory 1324 includes a container 1326 with a dispensingopening 1328 through which a wipe or tissue T may be dispensed for useby an occupant of the vehicle. Housing 1326 is removably supported instorage space 1322 and may be releasably retained in storage space 1322by a friction fit, snap couplers or may be held in place by one or morespring loaded latches 1330. As would be understood by those skilled inthe art, spring loaded latches 1330 may frictionally engage an innersurface 1322 a of storage space 1322 or may engage a correspondingrecess provided on inner surface 1322 a. In this manner, tissue or wipedispensing accessory 1324 may be quickly and easily removed from storagespace 1322 for refill or replacement. Optionally, additional storagespace may be provided for discarded tissues or wipes. For example,storage space 1322 may be segregated into two storage spaces—one forholding the dispensing accessory, and the other for holding thediscarded tissues, wipes, or other trash. Alternately, a disposal binmay be provided elsewhere in the vehicle.

It should be understood from the foregoing, that interior rearviewmirror assembly 1310 provides a storage space 1322 which may be used tosupport a wide variety of accessories therein beside tissue dispenser1324. Optionally, as previously noted, tissue dispensing assembly 1324may be removed such that storage space 1322 may be used for storingother accessories, as described in reference to assembly 210.

Referring to FIG. 31, a second embodiment 1410 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 9-14 is shown. Mirror assembly 1410includes a mirror housing or casing 1412, a reflective element 1414, anda storage space 1422 for storing a dockable accessory 1424, similar toassembly 110. As previously described, dockable accessory 1424 maycomprise a light assembly (as shown), a telecommunication device, suchas a phone or a pager, or other hand held electrical or electronicdevices or the like. For further details of housing 1412, dockableaccessory 1424, and reflective element 1414 general reference is made toassembly 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, dockable accessory 1424 includes ahousing 1426 which includes a pair of spring loaded latches 1428 forengaging elongate recesses 1430 provided in back wall 1412 a of casing1412 in storage space 1422. Housing 1426 preferably supports a pair oflatch releases 1432 which move latches 1428 between an insertionposition and an engagement position. When moved to their insertionposition, which is typically achieved when latch releases 1432 arecompressed, latches 1428 can then be aligned for insertion into elongaterecesses 1430. When latch releases 1432 are released, latches 1428engage with casing 1412 in recessed 1430, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. Similar to the previous embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9-14, housing 1412 preferably supports a pair of electricalcontacts 1432 which permit accessory 1424 to couple to either arecharging unit in mirror assembly 1410 or located elsewhere in thevehicle for recharging of dockable accessory 1424, as previouslydescribed in reference to assembly 110. Optionally, housing 1426 maysupport a pair of guide members 1444 which engage correspondingelongated recesses or slots 1446 provided in side wall 1448 of storagespace 1422. In this manner, guide members 1444 guide dockable assembly1424 into the correct position onto storage space 1422. Therefore, inorder to dock accessory 1424 onto storage space 1422, latch releases1432 must be compressed so that latch members 1428 are aligned forplacement into elongated recesses 1430. When guide members 1444 properlyaligned with recesses 1446, and latches 1428 are inserted into elongatedrecesses 1430, latch releases 1432 may be then released so that dockableaccessory 1424 is releasably mounted to casing 1412.

Referring to FIG. 32, a third embodiment 1510 of the interior rearviewmirror assembly illustrated in FIGS. 9-14 is shown. Mirror assembly 1510includes a mirror casing 1512, a reflective element 1514, and a storagespace 1522, on which a dockable accessory 1524 is mounted for storageand later retrieval by an occupant of the vehicle, such as the driver.For further details of housing 1512, reflective element 1514, anddockable accessory 1524, reference is made to mirror assembly 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, storage space 1522 is formed by generallyplanar recessed wall 1526 provided on back wall 1512 a of mirror case1512 and a cavity 1528 which is formed in back wall 1512 a. As noted inreference to accessory 24, accessory 1524 may comprise a light assembly,a telecommunications device, such as a telephone or pager or the like.Accessory 1524 includes a housing 1530 with a flange portion 1532.Flange 1532 is commensurate in size with cavity 1528 so that when flange1532 is inserted into cavity 1528, accessory 1524 is held in storagespace 1522 by the friction between flange 1532 and wall 1528 a whichdefines cavity 1528 and wall 1526. Housing 1530 supports a cover or lens1534 and includes at least one gripping surface 1536, similar to thedockable accessory described in reference to embodiment 110. Optionallymounted to flange 1532 are a pair of contacts 1538 which engage or makecontact with a corresponding pair of contacts provided on cavity wall1528 a in cavity 1528. Thus, when accessory 1524 is docked onto storagespace 1522, accessory 1524 is held in place by friction between flange1532 and wall 1528 a and is coupled to a recharger located either incasing 1512 or elsewhere in the vehicle to recharge batteries supportedwithin housing 1530 of accessory 1524, as described in greater detail inreference to accessory 124.

Similar to the previous embodiments, housing 1530 and cover 1534 arepreferably contoured to follow contour of casing 1512 such that whendocked, accessory 1524 forms a unitary unit with casing 1512. It shouldbe understood, that flange 1532 may be provided with releasablecouplers, as snap fit flanges or the like which provide a positiveengagement between flange 1532 and wall 1528 a or wall 1526 as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art. In addition, flange 1532 maysupport releasable latches similar to latches 1428 described inreference to the previous embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 33, the numeral 1610 generally designates a fourthembodiment of the interior rearview mirror assembly illustrated in FIGS.9-14. Mirror assembly 1610 includes a mirror housing or casing 1612,reflective element 1614, and a storage space 1622 for storing a dockableaccessory 1624, similar to the previous embodiment. As previouslydescribed, dockable accessory 1624 may comprise a light assembly(shown), a telecommunications device, such as a phone or a pager orother hand held electrical or electronic devices. For further details ofhousing 1612, reflective element 1614 and accessory 1624, generalreference is made to assembly 110.

Storage space 1622 is formed by a generally planar wall 1626 formed onback wall 1612 a of casing 1612 and a generally open cavity 1628 whichis formed in back wall 1612 a and has a generally U-shapedconfiguration. Cavity 1628 is defined between planar wall 1626 and agenerally U-shaped retaining wall 1628 a which extends over planar wall1626. Accessory 1624 includes a housing 1630, which supports a cover orlens 1632, and a flange 1634 commensurate in shape with cavity 1628 sothat when accessory 1624 is docked in storage space 1622, flange 1634extends into cavity 1628 and is held in place by U-shaped wall 1628 a.Preferably, accessory 1624 is held in storage space 1622 by frictionallyengagement between flange 1634 and wall 1628 a of cavity 1628 and planarwall 1626.

In order to follow the contours of casing 1612, housing 1630 preferablyincludes a projecting lip 1636 which extends over flange 1634 and iscommensurate in shape with opening 1628 b of cavity 1628 such that whenaccessory 1624 is docked into storage space 1622, housing 1620 abutscasing 1612 and generally follows the contours of casing 1612. In thismanner, when docked, accessory 1624 forms a generally unitary assemblywith casing 1612.

Optionally, housing 1630 or flange 1636 may support one or more latchesfor positively engaging casing 1612, as previously described. Inpreferred form, casing 1612 supports a pair of contacts 1638 in storagespace 1622 which electrically couple and make contact with correspondingcontacts provided on accessory 1624 so that accessory 1624 may berecharged while docked in storage space 1622, as previously described.

Referring to FIG. 34, the numeral 1710 generally designates aneighteenth embodiment of the interior rearview mirror assembly of thepresent invention. Interior rearview mirror assembly 1710 is of similarconstruction to mirror assembly 10 and includes a mirror casing 1712 anda reflective element 1714. Reflective element 1714 is positioned incasing 1712, for example, by a bezel 1712 a, a bracket, or an actuatoror the like. As described in reference to the previous embodiments,mirror assembly 1710 is mounted to the vehicle, for example either by awindshield mounting arrangement or a header mounting arrangementpreviously described. Reference is made to the previous embodiments forexamples of suitable mounting arrangements.

In the illustrated embodiment, interior rearview mirror assembly 1710includes a light assembly or light module 1715 which is dockable incasing 1712 to provide a light source for a map light assembly 1720, aswell as a flashlight light function when the light assembly is removedfrom casing 1712. Casing 1712 includes a bottom wall 1712 b whichincludes two openings 1722 and 1724 that provide openings for map lightassemblies 1726 and 1720, with map light module 1726 comprising a fixedposition map light. For examples of suitable map light assembliesreference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245;5,673,994; 5,649,756; or 5,178,448, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties. As will be morefully described, map light assembly 1720 is at least in part provided bylight module 1715.

Referring to FIG. 36, casing 1712 is formed by a casing wall 1712 cwhich includes a rearward facing opening 1713 in which reflectiveelement 1714 is positioned and a passenger side opening 1728 on end wall1730. Opening 1728 is sized to permit light module 1715 to be insertedthrough casing wall 1712 c and into casing 1712 behind reflectiveelement 1714 for docking so that the light module 1715 can direct lightthrough opening 1724 to form map light assembly 1720. Light module 1715includes a housing 1730 with a transparent portion, preferably a cover1732, and, more preferably, an optical cover. Positioned in housing 1730is at least one light source 1734 which provides sufficient light to uselight module 1715 as a flashlight so that the light module 1715 may beused in the vehicle to locate articles or may be used exteriorly of thevehicle, for example while changing a tire in the dark. In preferredform, light module 1715 includes a plurality of light sources 1734, forexamples solid state light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs)or neon lights. In most preferred form, light sources 1734 comprisewhite light emitting LEDs, such as those available from Nichia AmericaCorp. of Mountville, Pa., under the trade designations Nichia NSPW500BS,5.6 C.P. White; NSPWF50BS; NSPW515BS; NSPW300BS; NSPW312BS; NSPW310BS;and NSPW315BS. Light sources 1734 are positioned to project lightthrough cover 1732 and, furthermore, are positioned such that when lightmodule 1715 is inserted through opening 1728 and docked in casing 1712,light sources 1734 can provide a light source to form a map lightassembly 1720 which projects through opening 1724 in bottom wall 1712 bof casing 1712.

Optionally, any of the interior mirror assemblies of this presentinvention may include at least one map/reading/courtesy light, mostpreferably comprising a non-incandescent lamp such as a light emittingdiode (LED) array (most preferably, each such array comprising at leastone, and more preferably a plurality of at least two, whitelight-emitting diodes such as are disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/249,979, entitled LIGHTING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, byPeter Furst and Harald Buchalla, filed February 1999, and assigned toDonnelly Hohe GMBH & CO, KG, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,590, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein).Suitable white light-emitting diodes are available from Nichia AmericaCorp. of Mountville, Pa., under the trade designation Nichia NSPW500BS,5.6 C.P. White. Preferably, such mirror-mounted map lights use at leastone white light-emitting LED light source, more preferably at least twowhite light-emitting LED light sources, and most preferably at leastthree white light-emitting LED light sources as the lamp forillumination purposes. Other non-incandescent light sources can be usedfor mirror-mounted lights (both interior rearview mirrorassembly-mounted illuminators and exterior sideview mirrorassembly-mounted illuminators) and/or for the illuminator in a dockable,removable light source such as the removable mirror-mounted flashlightsdescribed herein. For example, fluorescent light sources such ascold-cathode fluorescent lamps can be used. Alternately, luminescentlight sources such as comprising an inorganic electroluminescent lightsource or, preferably, an organic electroluminescent light source can beused in map/reading/courtesy lighting in automotive rearview mirrorassemblies and in security lighting/ground illumination and signallighting in exterior sideview mirror assemblies, or may comprise anorganic light emitting diode. Also, a laser light source, or amultiple-laser light source can be used for illumination from automotivemirror assemblies, such as for map, reading and/or courtesy lighting at,in, or on an interior rearview mirror assembly or for securitylighting/ground illumination lighting from, or signal lighting from, anexterior sideview mirror assembly. Laser lighting can also be used toprovide illumination for vehicle-mounted cameras, such as back-upcameras or forward-facing cameras or interior cabin monitoring camerassuch as baby monitoring cameras such as are disclosed in provisionalU.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 60/186,520, filed Mar. 1, 2000, by Lynamet al., entitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A VIDEOSCREEN; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/466,010, filed Dec. 17,1999, by DeLine et al., entitled INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SOUNDPROCESSING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,975; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/396,179, filed Sep. 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,278,377; Ser. No. 09/382,720, filed Aug. 25, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,243,003; Ser. No. 09/449,121, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,428,172; Ser. No. 09/433,467, filed Nov. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,326,613; and Ser. No. 09/448,700, filed Nov. 24, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,329,925, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference. For night vision purposes (such as with forward facingcameras or when viewing a child at night in a darkened vehicle cabin ortrapped in a darkened vehicle trunk compartment), use of near-infraredlight emitting sources, and in particular near-IR emitting LEDs andlasers, is desirable in order to provide illumination for anight-viewing camera while avoiding glaring with visible light, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,620, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. Note that, optionally, such night-timeilluminating LED light sources are controlled by a vehicle-mountedphotosensor (such as a photosensor incorporated into the interiorrearview mirror assembly) whereby, at high ambient lighting aroundand/or in the vehicle such as during daytime, operation of the lightsources is disabled in order to reduce power consumption whenillumination by the light sources is not needed due to the adequateambient lighting provided around the vehicle such as by the sun. Wheremultiple laser sources are used, the light output of lasers emittinglight of different non-white colors (for example, three blue emittinglasers and three amber lasers) can be combined to illuminate withmetameric white light such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,579 toTumbull et al. and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,483 to Schoniger et al., theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.Such laser automotive lighting, and preferably white-light laserlighting, can be used in a variety of automotive lighting applicationsbesides mirror-mounted lighting, such as laser-lighted automotive vanitymirrors, dome lights, parking lights, CHMSL lights, reversing lights,running board lights, side marker lights, turn signal lights, brakelights, fog lights, taillights, rail lamps, headlights, spot lights, ashtray lights, trunk compartment lights, storage compartment lights,console lights and the like. Also, optionally and preferably, a lightpipe and/or optical elements such as lenses, diffusers and reflectorscan be used in conjunction with a laser light source, preferably awhite-light producing laser source, in order to distribute/project lightwithin or out from the vehicle, and/or to expand or direct/project thelaser-generated light beam. Most preferably, at least one diffractiveoptical element is used in conjunction with an automotive laser lightsource.

Referring to FIG. 35, when light module 1715 is docked in casing 1712,cover 1732 is directed inwardly with light sources 1734 at leastgenerally aligned with opening 1724 to provide map light 1720.Optionally, casing 1712 may include a reflector 1736 which assures thata greater percentage of the light emitted from light sources 1734 isdirected through opening 1724. It should be understood that the opticsto direct the light through opening 1724 may also be provided by cover1732 or provided by a combination of a reflector and cover 1732 whichmay comprise an optical lens (which may be a refractive lens andpreferably comprises a diffractive lens). In addition, opening 1724 mayinclude a cover 1752, such as an optical lens, which directs the lightemitted from light sources 1734 in a desired pattern. In addition toproviding optics to generate a desired light pattern, cover 1752 closesopening 1722 to provide protection to the components in the mirrorassembly and, further, to provide pinch protection to a person insertinglight module 1715 into casing 1712.

Referring again to FIG. 36, light module 1715 preferably includes aplurality of conductive contacts and, most preferably, a plurality ofconductive sockets 1740 a, 1740 b, and 1740 c, which are coupled to alight module drive circuit 1742 described in greater detail below.Preferably, sockets 1740 a, 1740 b, and 1740 c are positioned on theinput end of module 1715 and, further, toward a back wall 1744 of cover1732 to minimize the interference with the light emitted from lightsources 1734. When light module 1715 is inserted into casing 1712,sockets 1740 a, 1740 b, and 1740 c align with a corresponding pluralityof conductive pin contacts 1746 a, 1746 b, and 1746 c provided in casing1712. Pin contacts 1746 a, 1746 b, and 1746 c are coupled to the vehiclepower supply system and may be used, for example, to recharge a batteryor batteries positioned in light module 1715, as will be more fullydescribed in reference to circuit 1742. In addition to providing anelectrical coupling between light module 1715 and the vehicle powersystem, pins 1746 a, 1746 b, and 1746 c also may mount light module 1715to casing 1712 depending on the size of the light module. Optionally,casing 1712 may include spaced apart upper and lower retaining flanges1748 (only one shown) which hold light module 1715 therebetween and,further, may include biasing members 1750, such as spring clips,flexible fingers, elastomeric members, which apply a friction force tolight module 1715 to thereby provide a substantially rigid mount forlight module 1715 within in casing 1712.

When fully inserted into casing 1712, light module 1715 preferablyfollows the outer surface 1712 d of casing wall 1712 c and includes anend wall 1730 a which is substantially flush with outer surface 1712 d.In order to remove light module 1715 from casing 1712, casing 1712 mayinclude an ejector which is actuatable by an external button or thelike, or module 1715 may include one or more griping surfaces, such ason end wall 1730 a.

Referring to FIG. 38, light module drive circuit 1742 includes a voltagesupply 1758, for example one or more batteries and, most preferably, oneor more rechargeable batteries, such as nickel metal hydride batteries,nickel cadmium batteries or lithium ion batteries. Light module drivecircuit 1742 couples to a map light circuit 1759 that is positionedwithin the casing 1712 of the interior mirror assembly and that isaccessed in the casing via sockets 1740 a, 1740 b, and 1740 c andconductive pins 1746 a, 1746 b, and 1746 c to recharge voltage supply1758 (that is in the dockable/removable accessory such as a light module1715 such as a flashlight) and, further, as will be described,optionally couple light sources 1734 to the vehicle power supply whenmodule 1715 is docked in casing 1712. Map light circuit 1759 includes acharger circuit 1760 (that connects to the vehicle ignition system),which recharges voltage supply 1758 when circuit 1742 is electricallycoupled to map light circuit 1759, a map light switch 1770, and avoltage regulator circuit 1768, which protects light sources 1734 fromover charging. Voltage supply 1758 is coupled on its positive side tosocket 1740 a which contacts conductive pin 1746 a to couple to thevehicle system power supply through charger circuit 1760. Light sources1734 are connected as a bridge circuit 1762, which extends across thevoltage drop of voltage supply 1758. Bridge circuit 1762 includes alimit switch 1764 that moves between a first position wherein lightsources 1734 form a closed circuit with the voltage supply 1758 and asecond position in which light sources 1734 are coupled to the vehicleignition system through socket 1740 b and conductive pin 1746 b.Preferably, circuit 1742 includes a second switch 1766, such as anon-off switch which is mounted to housing 1730, that permits the user ofthe light module 1715 to turn the light sources 1734 on and off whenmodule 1715 is removed from casing 1712. However, once inserted into thecasing 1712, limit switch 1764 moves to the second position in whichlight sources 1734 form a closed circuit with the vehicle system powersupply through voltage regulator circuit 1768 via conductive pin 1746 band socket 1740 b. Preferably, map light switch 1770 is mounted, forexample, to bottom wall 1712 b of casing 1712 to permit easy access tooccupants of the vehicle. In this manner, limit switch 1764 by-passesthe on/off switch mounted to light module 1715 so that light sources1734 assume the logic of map light switch 1770 of the vehicle. As aresult, when the light module is inserted into mirror casing 1712,regardless of the position of the light module switch, the lightsource(s) in the light module assumes the logic of the switch in thecasing. Therefore, if the switch on the casing is in the “off” positionand the switch in the module is in the “on” position, when the lightmodule is inserted into the housing the light source(s) of the lightmodule will be deactivated or turned off. This permits the user of theflashlight to return the flashlight module 1715 to casing 1712 withoutconcern for the position of switch 1766 since the light sources willassume the logic of the map light switch 1770.

In the illustrated embodiment, circuit 1742 includes four light sourcesand, more preferably, two sets of two light sources connected in serieswhich are then connected in parallel via limit switch 1764 across thevoltage source 1758. But it should be understood, that the number oflight sources in light module 1715 may vary. In preferred form, lightsources 1734 comprise solid state light sources, such as LEDs, organicor inorganic electroluminescent light sources, neon lights,semiconductor lasers or the like. Solid state light sources, such asorganic or inorganic LEDs, are preferred since they do not generate asmuch heat as incandescent light sources. However, it should beappreciated that low power incandescent light sources may also be used.

The LEDs preferably require at least about a 15 milliamp forwardcurrent, more preferably, about a 20 milliamp forward current and, mostpreferably, about a 30 milliamp forward current. More preferably, theLEDs require about a 50 milliamp forward current and, most preferably,about a 60 milliamp forward current. Furthermore, the LEDs preferablyhave forward voltage drop of at least about 1 volt, more preferably atleast about 3 volts and, most preferably, about 6 volts. Light sources734 are preferably connected in series so that the forward voltage dropacross the LEDs are additive and, thus, optionally equal the nominalignition voltage of the vehicle, which is typically 12 volts (althoughin future vehicles, a 42V vehicle power system is envisaged, withpulse-width modulation to be used to provide sub-rails from this of 14Vnominal rms voltage). For example, three series LEDs can be used, witheach LED having a forward voltage drop of about 4 volts, to have a totalforward voltage drop of about 12 volts. By having the additive voltagedrop across the multiple LEDs connected in series be as close to theignition/battery voltage as possible in the automobile, a low powerdissipation series resistor of low ohmic resistance can be used as acurrent limiting/voltage dropping series resistor in series with theLEDs (or optionally, the series resistor can be dispensed with). Asdescribed above, map light circuit 1759 preferably includes a regulatorcircuit, which provides an override protection, for example when theengine is revved up and the voltage of the vehicle's electrical systemincreases beyond its nominal voltage. For example, regulator circuit1768 may include a series resistor or voltage controlling circuit, suchas a series voltage regulator. It should be understood, that the numberof LEDs and the type of LEDs may be mixed and varied. For example, andfor vehicles with a 12V nominal battery, three LEDs having a voltagedrop of about 4 volts may be used or two LEDs having a voltage drop ofabout 4 volts can be combined with two LEDs having a voltage drop ofabout 2 volts. In addition, it can be appreciated that the light modulecircuitry may optionally include an over voltage regulator to protectthe LEDs from damage.

Typically, LEDs operate in a range of less than about 40 milliamps, lessthan about 75 milliamps, and less than about 150 milliamps. Thepreferred illumination intensity for map light 1720 is at least about 20lux at a distance of about 30 inches from the mirror assembly, morepreferably, about 40 lux, and, most preferably, about 60 as measuredover a 50 mm diameter circular area. Preferably, the LEDs have a minimumillumination intensity of about 10 lux, more preferably, about 30 luxand, most preferably, a minimum of about 60 lux at a minimum distance ofabout 30 inches from the mirror assembly.

Alternately, light module 1715 may include, for example six LEDs withthree of the LEDs being inoperable when used as a flashlight while theremaining LEDs are activated when the light module is returned to themirror housing to provide a map light of sufficient light intensity. Inthis manner, the battery life of voltage supply 1758 can be extended.Alternately, light module 1715 may include, for example only a subset,for example three LEDs but when returned to the mirror casing arecombined with the remaining LEDs housed in the mirror casing to providethe desired illuminescence. When operating as a map light, light sources1734 preferably form about a 50 mm circle at about 25 inches from themirror assembly preferably with a lux level of at least about 50 lux,more preferably, at least about 25 lux and, most preferably at leastabout 100 lux capacity.

As previously noted, flashlight module 1715 preferably includes abattery and, more preferably, a rechargeable battery such as a nickelmetal hydride (NIMH) and nickel cadmium or a lithium ion battery.Batteries are typically rated in amp hours, and in the presentapplication, it is preferred that light module 1715 will generatesufficient current and voltage to activate the LEDs for a minimum ofabout 15 minutes, more preferably, a minimum of about 30 minutes and,most preferably, a minimum of about one hour or more. For example, asuitable light module battery preferably has a capacity of at leastabout 25 milliamp hours, more preferably, at least about 100 milliamphours and, most preferably, about 500 milliamp hours or greater.

As previously described, cover 1732 may include optics for map light1720 so that when the light module 1715 is inserted into mirror casing1712, light sources 1734 from the light module 1715 may provide thedesired map light pattern. Alternately, the optics for map light 1720may be incorporated into the casing, for example into cover 1752. Inaddition, the optics may be incorporated into both light module 1715 andmirror casing 1712. As previously described, light module 1715 ispreferably inserted from the passenger side of mirror casing 1712 whichminimizes the distraction to the driver and, furthermore, provides easeof handling for right-handed people. However, it can be appreciated thatlight module 1715 may be inserted from the driver side of the interiorrearview mirror casing to ease handling for left-handed drivers.

In preferred form, cover 1732 is sealed with housing 1730 to provide asubstantially impervious module which protects the components in themodule from elements so that the light module may be used outside and,furthermore, can be incorporated into an interior rearview mirrorassembly of a convertible vehicle. In preferred form, light module 1715is serviceable and/or replaceable and, most preferably, replaceable anddisposable. One advantage of using solid state light sources is thatlight module 1715 may be replaced and disposed of as opposed toserviced, which is typically required for incandescent light sources. Inaddition, when solid state light sources are incorporated into lightmodule 1715, light module 1715 remains cool and, therefore, its closeproximity to other electronic devices does not impose any performanceproblems on those electronic devices.

It can be appreciated, that light module 1715 of the present inventionis user friendly and can be quickly inserted into and retrieved from themirror casing and, further, because of the override circuitry providedin the mirror casing, module 1715 does not require to be turned offbefore returning to its stored position within mirror casing 1712. Theconcept of this embodiment may also be used with a phone, a pager, orthe like with or without the light sources so that the phone or pagermay provide one or more light sources for the map light function when itis docked in the mirror casing. If light sources are incorporated intothe pager or phone, the light sources may be used as a flashlight or mayonly be operational when the phone or pager is docked.

Referring to FIG. 39, a second embodiment 1742′ of the light moduledrive circuit is illustrated. Light module drive circuit 1742′ includesa power circuit 1757′, which includes a voltage supply 1758′, and alight source circuit 1762′. Power circuit 1757′ and light source circuit1762′ are configured such that the light module 1715 comprises aswitchless light module 1715 with the power circuit 1757′ powering thelight source circuit 1762′ when light module 1715 is removed from casing1712 and yet being disconnected from light source circuit 1762′ whenflashlight module 1715 is inserted into casing 1712. In the illustratedembodiment, the power circuit 1757′ and light source circuit 1762′ areelectrically coupled via sockets 1740 b′ and 1740 c′ when socket 1740 b′and 1740 c′ are decoupled from map circuit conductive pin 1746 b′ andground conductive pin 1746′. In the illustrated embodiment, powercircuit 1757′ includes a spring loaded connection line 1758′ whichdisengages from socket 1740 b′ when the light module is inserted intocasing 1712 and sockets 1740 b′ and 1740 c′ engage the respectiveconnector pins 1746 b′ and 1746 c′. Spring loaded connection line 1758′includes a plastic insulator 1759′, which engages pin 1746 b′ when lightmodule 1715 is inserted into casing to disconnect power line 1758′ fromsocket 1740 b′. In addition, when module 1715 is docked, voltage 1758′is connected between ground pin 1746 c′ and charge circuit conductivepin 1746 a′ such that voltage supply 1758′ can be recharged by thevehicle power supply. In this manner, when light module 1715 is insertedinto mirror casing 1712, light sources 1734′ are energized by the maplight circuit and assume the logic of map light switch 1770. Referenceis made to the previous embodiment of FIG. 38 for details of the maplight circuit. In contrast, when light module 1715 is removed frommirror casing 1712, light sources 1734′ are energized by voltage source1758′ of light module circuit 1742′. As will be understood, therefore,when light module 1715 is removed from casing, light sources 1734′remain in an activated state until the voltage supply is depleted or onuntil light module 1715 is returned to casing 1712 and, further, maplight switch 1770 is moved to its “off” position.

Referring to FIG. 40, a third embodiment of a light module drive circuit1742″ is illustrated. Circuit 1742″ comprises a capacitor powered lightmodule circuit and includes a capacitor 1758″ and an AC/DC converter1760″, which controls the output voltage of capacitor 1758″. Drivecircuit 1742″ also includes a light source circuit 1762″ which includesan on/off switch 1764″, a load current limiter resistor 1766″ and lightsource(s) 1734″ which are connected in series to AC/DC converter 1760″.In addition, flashlight circuit 1742″ preferably includes a safetyswitch 1768″ across capacitor 1758″ to discharge the capacitor 1758″ inthe event housing 1730 of light module 1715 is open. Preferably, circuit1742″ also includes a shock protection diode 1770″ and a charge currentlimiter resistor 1772″. Circuit 1742″ is connected to the vehicle powersupply via a second AC/DC converter 1744″ and only requires twocontacts—one to ground and the other to the vehicle power supply. Inthis manner, when dockable light module 1715 is docked in casing 1712,the vehicle power supply charges capacitor 1758″. When light module 1715is removed, capacitor 1758″ is preferably sufficiently charged toprovide sufficient voltage to power the circuit containing light source1734″ for at least about 5 minutes; more preferably for at least about15 minutes; most preferably for at least about 30 minutes. Preferably,the power capacitor used is compact so as to readily fit into thedetachable/dockable accessory such as a flashlight. Suitable powercapacitors include the DZ series of high current capacitors availablefrom ELNA America Inc of Cypress Calif. under the trade name “DYNACAP”,such as DZ-2R5D1107, DZ-2R5D106 and DZ-2R5D105 capacitors. Preferably,capacitor 1758″ has a capacitance in the range from about 0.2 Farad toabout 120 Farad; more preferably, in the range from about 1 Farad toabout 60 Farad; most preferably, in the range from about 5 Farad toabout 40 Farad.

Referring to FIG. 41, a nineteenth embodiment 1810 of the interiorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated. Mirrorassembly 1810 includes a casing 1812 and a reflective element 1814positioned in casing 1812 and preferably mounted to casing 1812 by abezel or bezel portion 1812 a. However, it should be appreciated, thatreflective element 1814 may be supported in casing 1812 by a bracket oran actuator as is known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment,mirror assembly 1810 further includes a pendent accessory 1824 which ismounted to casing 1812 by a support 1826 and is mounted for pivotalmovement between a stored position shown in FIG. 41 and an extended orviewing position shown in FIGS. 42. As best seen in FIG. 41, bottom wall1812 b of casing 1812 includes an enlarged chin area 1812 c which formsa recess 1828 in which pendent accessory 1824 is moved when it isreturned to its stored position. Bezel 1812 a preferably extends over orfollows enlarged chin area 1812 c so that when pendent accessory 1824 ispivoted to its stored position, pendent accessory 1824 generally followsthe contour and profile of casing 1812 to minimize distraction to thedriver.

As best seen in FIG. 42, pendent accessory 1824 includes a housing 1832and a display element 1830, such as a reflective element or a screenelement similar to pendent accessory 24; therefore, for further detailsof housing 1832 and element 1830, reference is made to the firstembodiment. Referring to FIGS. 42 and 43A, support 1826 includes a shaft1826 a and a pair of ball members 1826 b and 1826 c with ball member1826 b extending into and being captured by a ball socket (not shown)provided in casing 1812 and ball member 1826 c extending into and beingcaptured by a ball socket 1829 (FIG. 43A) provided on housing 1828. Ballmember 1826 c pivotally couples housing 1832 to support 1826 and permitsmulti-axis positioning of housing 1832 and element 1830 about agenerally vertical axis 1826 d, which extends through shaft 1826, andhorizontal axes which pass through ball member 1826 c to permitadjustment of the viewing position of element 1830. Ball member 1826 bpermits housing 1832 and element 1830 to rotate about a generallyvertical axis and pivot about horizontal axes which extends through ballmember 1826 b so that pendent accessory 1824 can be moved from itsstored position to a large plurality of viewing orientations.

Referring to FIG. 43B, a second embodiment of a pendent accessory 1824′is illustrated. Pendent accessory 1824′ is of similar construction topendent accessory 1824 and includes a support 1826′ which permitspendent accessory 1824′ to pivot on first and second pins 1826 c′ and1826 d′ about a generally vertical axis 1826 a′ and a generallyhorizontal axis 1826 b′. Pin 1826 d′ is mounted to casing 1812 to permitpivoting of pendent accessory 1824′ about axis 1826 b′ so that pendentaccessory can be moved from its stored position to an extended position.Pin 1826 c′ is fixedly mounted to pin 1826 d′ such that accessory 1824′may be pivoted about axis 1826 a′ to adjust the viewing position of thependent accessory once pendent accessory is pivoted about pin 1826 d′.Support 1826′ provides a user-friendly dual pivot mount which providesan easy check to determine whether accessory 1824′ is properly alignedfor returning to its retracted position in recess 1828 without muchdistraction, if any, to the driver. It can be appreciated, that whenhousing 1832′ of accessory 1824′ is aligned along pin 1826 d′, accessory1824′ can then be pivoted about pin 1826 d′ to its retracted position.

Optionally, interior rearview mirror assembly 1810 may include a pair ofmap light assemblies 1820 and 1822 which are mounted in a bottom wall1812 b of casing 1812. Reference is made to the previous embodiment fordetails of map light assemblies 1820 and 1822 and other accessories ordevices which may be incorporated into assembly 1810. As best seen inFIG. 42, interior rearview mirror assembly includes a support 1816 andmounting bracket 1818, which in the illustrated embodiment mounts to aconventional windshield mounting button. It should be understood thatsupport 1816 may be mounted to the header area of the vehicle, as isconventionally known. Mounting bracket 1818 includes enlarged body 1860,which is adapted to provide a break-away mounting to a conventionalmirror mounting button. Enlarged body 1860 includes a socket that formsan adapter 1862, which is coupled to the vehicle operational voltagesupply, for example a 12-volt or 42-volt battery. In the illustratedembodiment, adapter 1862 is mounted in a lower portion of body 1860, butit should be understood that adapter 1862 may be formed on a sideportion of mounting bracket 1818. In order to ease insertion of a plugof an accessory into adapter 1862, adapter 1862 is angled to permit easyaccess by an occupant of the vehicle. It should be understood, that theangle of orientation of adapter 1862 depends on the angle of thewindshield, when mounting bracket 1818 mounts to a windshield.

Referring to FIG. 44, a twentieth embodiment 1910 of the interiorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention is illustrated.Interior rearview mirror assembly 1910 is similar to mirror assembly 510illustrated in FIG. 20 and includes a mirror casing 1912 and areflective element 1914 supported in casing by bezel 1912 a. Casing 1912includes a storage space 1926 for supporting a memo pad 1928 and,further includes a workpiece holder 1932 for holding a workpiece W suchas a pencil, pen, tool, a PALM PILOT pen or the like. In the illustratedembodiment, workpiece holder 1932 is formed with or provided on bezel1912 a and is preferably molded with bezel 1912 a. In this manner, theworkpiece holder shape or size may be customized as desired and changedby simply replacing bezel 1912 a. Similar to assembly 510, assembly 1910optionally includes a map light assemblies 1940 and 1942 which areposition in bottom wall 1934 of casing 1912. For further details ofother optional components for assembly 1910, reference is made to theprevious embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 45A, workpiece holder 1932 includes a pair of spaceapart opposed generally members 1933 and 1935. In preferred form,members 1933 and 1935 are adapted to receive and hold a plurality ofworkpieces with varying cross-sections. Members 1933 and 1935 comprisevariable engagement elements which define therebetween variableengagement surfaces 1937 a and 1937 b, respectively, to accommodate thevarying dimensions of the workpieces and preferably hold workpieces byfriction. In the illustrated embodiment, variable engagement surfaces1937 a and 1937 b are provided by graduated step surfaces 1939 a and1939 b, respectively. In this manner, the lowermost surfaces 1939 a′ and1939 b′ of step surfaces 1939 a and 1939 b form closer gripping surfacesthan uppermost surfaces 1939 a″ and 1939 b″.

Optionally, workpiece holder 1932 may be molded from a more flexiblematerial than bezel 1912 a to provide more flexibility to members 1933and 1935 and, therefore, generate spring-like forces in addition to thefrictional forces. Alternately, workpiece holder 1932 may be formed froma flexible but relatively high friction material to provide enhancedfrictional engagement and, depending on the material, to provide thespring like-action. For example, members 1933 and 1935 may be moldedfrom an elastomeric polymer material, such as a thermoplastic rubber.

Referring to FIG. 45B, a second embodiment 2032 of the workpiece holderof the present invention is illustrated. Workpiece holder 2032 similarlyincludes a pair of opposed members 2033 and 2035 which are formed, suchas by molding, with or provided on bezel 1912 a. Positioned betweenopposed spaced apart members 2033 and 2035 is a resilient channel-shapedinsert 2037 which similarly provides a variable engagement element witha variable engagement surface 2039 for engaging a variety of workpieceshaving varying dimensions and shapes. Preferably, insert 2037 comprisesan elastomeric member, such as silicone, rubber, or the like, and,therefore, compresses to accommodate different workpiece dimensions.

As best seen in FIG. 45C, a third embodiment 2132 of the workpieceholder of the present invention is illustrated. Similar to the previousembodiments, workpiece holder 2132 includes a pair of opposed spacedapart generally members 2133 and 2135 which are similarly molded orprovided on bezel 1912 a of mirror assembly 1910. In order toaccommodate a wide range of workpiece thicknesses, at least one member,such as member 2135, includes a pair of spaced apart flexible fingers2137 which comprise variable engagement elements and provide variableengagement surfaces 2139 on their inwardly facing surfaces 2137 a.Fingers 2137 apply a spring-like force to the workpiece to thereby holdthe workpiece in holder 2132. In the illustrated embodiment, each finger2137 includes a cam surface 2137 b to ease insertion of a workpiece.Thus, when a workpiece is inserted between members 2133 and 2135, camsurfaces 2137 b urge fingers 2137 outwardly. Alternately, both members2133 and 2135 may include flexible fingers to accommodate and evengreater range of workpiece sizes, limited only by the width andflexibility of members 2133 and 2135.

It can be appreciated from the foregoing, that the workpiece holder ofthe present invention preferably comprises a universal workpiece holderto permit a wide range and wide variety of workpieces to be supported bythe interior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, a workpiece, such aspen or pencil, may be personalized for a particular vehicle and,therefore, the workpiece holder may be similarly custom designed to holdthe personalized pencil or pen. For example, a workpiece W (whichtypically is a writing instrument such as a pen) may include indicia1955, for example a logo, the owner's name, the dealership name/logo,the automaker's name/logo, the vehicle name, or the like, as part of abusiness system. For example, the pen or pencil may be supplied with thevehicle when the vehicle is purchased and available as a spare part. Forexample, the workpiece may include a plurality of planar sides 1956 sothat the workpiece will not roll when placed on a planar work surface inthe vehicle and/or may include a tether. In addition, if the workpieceis misplaced or spent, a replacement workpiece may be available as afree replacement part provided as a courtesy by the dealership when thevehicle is serviced. In this manner, the workpiece forms a promotionalitem for the dealership and/or the vehicle.

Provision of such workpieces (pens, Swiss Army knives, ToolMan™ toolkits, a tire pressure gauge and the like) can help enhance promotion ofthe automaker image/brand and the dealership image/brand. It can alsoenhance customer loyalty/appreciation as, should the workpiece be lost,misplaced or used up (possible for the likes of a detachable pen), thedealer can elect to replace the missing workpiece free at the interiormirror assembly (optionally with a workpiece promoting that dealership'sbrand/logo) when the vehicle is brought in for service, thus promotingcustomer loyalty. Provision of a removable workpiece as disclosedherein, while preferable at the interior mirror assembly, is alsopossible at other locations within the vehicle cabin such as at anoverhead console or at a floor console.

Also, since many interior mirror assemblies comprise a bezel that isformed (typically by molding) separate from the casing of the mirrorassembly (and typically attached thereto during the mirror assemblyoperation by a snap-in or by a welding operation), it is optionallydesirable to form the workpiece attachment element on the bezel duringmolding of the bezel, as this minimizes tooling cost and allows the samecasing be used with bezels that have this utility feature and withbezels that do not have this utility feature.

Referring again to FIG. 44, interior rearview mirror assembly 1910 mayalso include a retractable cord 1960, for coupling an accessory, such asa phone, computer, or other electrical accessories to a vehicle system,such as a vehicle phone system, power source, or the like to provide alink between the accessory and the vehicle system. In order to minimizedistraction to the driver, cord 1960 is preferably fully retractableinto the housing so that when the cord is not in use, it can be returnedto a storage space within the mirror assembly. Devices for retractingthe cord include, for example, spring loaded reels and power rewinders.Cord 1960 preferably includes a coupler 1962, which couples therespective accessory to cord 1960 and hence to the vehicle phone orpower system. It should be understood, that cord 1960 may incorporateelectrical wires, and/or fiber optic cables, or the like, and, morepreferably, comprises a universal serial bus cable (USB). Coupler 1962may comprise a standard coupler, but one to which adapters may bemounted to accommodate different devices, and, more preferably,comprises a universal coupler which is adaptable to couple to a widevariety of accessories.

Alternately, cord 1960 may be partially retracted into casing 1912, withcoupler 1962 stored, for example, in a recessed portion or on anexternal snap provided on bottom wall 1934 of casing 1912. In addition,cord 1960 may, for example, permit a cell phone to couple to the vehicleantenna, with the cell phone preferably wired such that the antenna ofthe cell phone is disconnected once the cell phone is connected to thecable 1960 thereby removing the antenna to the exterior of the vehicle.

It can be appreciated, that retractable cord 1960 may be similarlymounted to the mounting member of the mirror casing or to a pod which issimilarly mounted to the mirror casing or mounting member. Thus, theretractable cord is located at the window assembly for easy access bythe driver of the vehicle.

In further aspects, interior rearview mirror assembly 1910 includes apair of map light assemblies 1940 and 1942 which include light emittingdiode light sources. Preferably, each light assembly 1940, 1942 hasgreater than two LEDs per light assembly, more preferably, greater thanfour LEDs per light assembly and, most preferably, greater than six LEDsper light assembly, with at least one of the light emitting diodesemitting white light and, more preferably, each of the light emittingdiodes emitting white light, such as is available from Nichia. Similarto the previous embodiment, light assemblies 1940 and 1942 preferablygenerate a minimum illumination intensity of about 10 lux, morepreferably about 30 lux, and most preferably a minimum of about 60 luxat a distance of about 25 inches from the mirror assembly. When aplurality of light emitting diodes are incorporated, they are preferablyincorporated in series such that the light emitting diodes may bepowered by the vehicle power supply system, which is typically 12 volts.For example, where light emitting diodes having a forward voltage ofabout 4-volts are used, the LEDs may be arranged such as shown in FIG.37. As best seen in FIG. 37, two sets 1962 and 1964 of three series LEDsare connected in parallel to the vehicle operation voltage supply 1966.In preferred form, each series of LEDs 1962, 1964 includes a circuitlimiting resistor 1968, 1970, respectively, to protect the LEDs fromover-voltage. Similarly, where LEDs having forward voltage drops ofabout 6 volts are used, three sets of two LEDs in series may be used toprovide a total voltage drop of about 12-volts while still maintainingthe desired number of LEDs. Similarly, where LEDs are used which have aforward voltage drop of about 2-volts, a series of six LEDs could beused which would have a total voltage drop of about 12-volts. Oneadvantage of the LEDs coupled in series is that it takes less of aresistor to control the LEDs. As noted previously, when the LEDs arepowered directly from the vehicle voltage supply, the light circuitrypreferably includes a regulator circuit, such as a series resistor orvoltage controlling circuit, such as a series voltage regulator. Itshould be understood that the number of LEDs and the type of LEDs may bemixed to achieve the desired combination of voltage drop andilluminescence.

The present invention provides a cavity or pocket created in the mirrorhousing or case such as by molding. This cavity or pocket provides astorage compartment for accessories, such as sunglasses, coins, parkingtokens, a tape dispenser, tissue or wipe dispensers, and the like. Thus,for example, the driver on exiting the vehicle can take off a pair ofsunglasses and readily and conveniently store them by placing them intothe pocket storage compartment in the interior mirror casing, where theaccessory is supported or stored. By locating the storage space on or inthe interior mirror assembly, a high mounted storage location isprovided which is away from children or pets in the car and further, mayalso provide a storage location that is not readily visible from outsidethe vehicle, therefore, enhancing the vehicle security. Also, thepresent invention provides storage space on or within the mirrorassembly that may be open storage insofar that no door hatch or latch isprovided or required, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 9-16and 19-24, or may be closed storage, accessible such as by a door,hatch, latch, slider, telescoping support or the like, such asillustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and 17-18. Further, storage space is providedon the exterior of the mirror casing (or optionally, elsewhere on therearview mirror assembly such as on the mirror support arm or on themirror mount) for objects such as writing instruments such as pens,pencils and the like. The driver or passenger can releasably attach, forexample, a pencil to the clip provided on the mirror casing. Thisprovides a location in the vehicle interior cabin where the driver orpassengers can readily find a pencil or the like.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art, modifications can bemade to the various components of the several embodiments describedabove without departure from the spirit of the present invention. Forexample, the mirror casing may include an elongated recess extendinginto the casing which provides storage space for a tool, such as apressure gauge or screw driver or pocket knife, or workpiece, such as awriting instrument or light pen. The storage space may comprise an openstorage space in which articles are quickly insertable to or retractablefrom the storage space or a closed storage space, such as described inreference to mirror assembly 310, which is accessed through a door orhatch. The storage space may comprise an attachment member such as aclip for releasably retaining a writing instrument such as a pen, or thelike, to the rearview mirror assembly such as to the mirror case, to themirror bracket/mount or to the mirror support arm. The present inventionprovides one or more storage spaces for storing articles or accessoriesand is applicable to a wide variety of interior rearview mirrorsincluding electrically operated compass mirrors such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,253,109, electrically operated interior rearview mirrorsincorporating map reading lights such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096; and 5,178,448; and electricallyoperated automatically dimming mirrors such as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,793,690; 4,799,768; 4,886,960; and 5,193,029, mirror assembliesincorporating GPS such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/569,851, filed Dec. 8, 1995, by Roger L. Veldman and DesmondO'Farrell, entitled A VEHICLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM NAVIGATIONALAID, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552; mirrors including head light controls,such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/621,863, filedMar. 25, 1996, entitled VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,094; mirrors incorporating displays, such asdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/244,726, filed Feb. 5,1999, entitled REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING VEHICLEINFORMATION DISPLAY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,613, and U.S. Pat. No.5,530,240, entitled DISPLAY FOR AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR; mirrorsincorporating blind spot detection systems, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,530,240; U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,687; and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/799,734, entitled VEHICLE BLIND SPOT DETECTION AND DISPLAYSYSTEM, filed Feb. 12, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,772; and mirrorsincorporating remote frame action systems, such as disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/057,428, filed Apr. 8, 1998, entitled AVEHICLE MOUNTED REMOTE TRANSACTION INTERFACE SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No.6,158,655; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575; all commonly assigned toDonnelly Corporation, Holland Mich., and the disclosures of which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties. In addition, thethird logic line included in the circuits described in reference toFIGS. 38 and 39 may be incorporated into other dockable accessories.Furthermore, modification may include using the windshield mountingbracket, header mounting bracket, a pod or the like as a source for thevarious storage spaces. In other modifications, the dockable assemblies,such as cellular phones, lights, pagers, or the like described hereinmay be built-in to the mirror assembly, for example in the mirrorcasing, mounting member or in a pod. In which case, the mirror assemblypreferably incorporates a digital sound processing system to eliminatenoise as previously described. Changes and modifications in thespecifically described embodiments can be carried out without departingfrom the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according tothe principles of patent law.

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said mirrorassembly comprising: a housing, a mirror reflective element disposed insaid housing and a support for adjustably mounting said housing to aninterior portion of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element providinga rearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle when said mirrorassembly is mounted to the interior portion of the vehicle, said housingbeing adjustable relative to the interior portion of the vehicle toadjust the rearward field of view of said mirror reflective element toprovide the driver with a driver-desired rearward field of viewgenerally rearward and through a rear window of the vehicle; aretractable cord, said retractable cord for use by an occupant of thevehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractable cord beingadapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system to provide a linkbetween the accessory and the vehicle system; and wherein saidretractable cord is extendable and retractable between an extendedstate, where a user of said mirror assembly pulls said retractable cordat least partially outward from said housing for coupling to theaccessory, and a retracted state, where said retractable cord isretracted at least substantially into said housing.
 2. The interiorrearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, whereinsaid retractable cord includes a coupler for coupling to the accessory.3. The interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according toclaim 2, wherein said housing includes a storage space, said retractablecord retractable into and extendable from said storage space.
 4. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3,wherein said storage space comprises a first storage space, said housingincluding a recessed portion, said recessed portion defining a secondstorage space for said coupler, at least a portion of said retractablecord being retractable into said first storage space.
 5. The interiorrearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, whereinsaid second storage space includes a holder for said coupler when saidportion of said retractable cord is retracted to said first storagespace.
 6. The interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle accordingto claim 3, wherein said housing includes said storage space.
 7. Theinterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 6,wherein said housing includes a bottom wall, said storage space providedat said bottom wall.
 8. The interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle according to claim 6, wherein said storage space extends intosaid housing behind said reflective element.
 9. The interior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein saidretractable cord includes at least one electrical wire.
 10. The interiorrearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, saidhousing further including a workpiece holder for storing a workpiece ina location accessible by an occupant of the vehicle whereby theworkpiece can be inserted into or removed from said workpiece holder foruse by the occupant of the vehicle.
 11. The interior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein said workpieceholder includes a variable engagement element for engaging the workpiecewhereby said workpiece holder can hold a plurality of workpieces havingvarying dimensions.
 12. An interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle, said mirror assembly comprising: a housing, a mirror reflectiveelement and a support for adjustably mounting said housing to aninterior portion of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element providinga rearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle when said mirrorassembly is mounted to the interior portion of the vehicle, said housingbeing adjustable relative to the interior portion of the vehicle toadjust the rearward field of view of said mirror reflective element toprovide the driver with a driver-desired rearward field of viewgenerally rearward and through a rear window of the vehicle; aretractable cord, said retractable cord for use by an occupant of thevehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractable cord being atleast partially retractable into said housing and further being adaptedto couple the accessory to a vehicle system to provide a link betweenthe accessory and the vehicle system; and wherein said retractable cordis extendable and retractable between an extended state, where a user ofsaid mirror assembly pulls said retractable cord at least partiallyoutward from said housing for coupling to the accessory, and a retractedstate, where said retractable cord is retracted at least substantiallyinto said housing.
 13. The interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle according to claim 12, wherein said housing includes a recessedportion, said retractable cord being at least partially retractable intosaid recessed portion.
 14. The interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle according to claim 13, wherein said cord includes a coupler forcoupling to the accessory.
 15. The interior rearview mirror assembly fora vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said coupler is at leastpartially retractable into said recessed portion.
 16. The interiorrearview mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 15, whereinsaid mirror housing includes a bottom wall, said recessed portionprovided in said bottom wall.
 17. The interior rearview mirror assemblyfor a vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said coupler comprises auniversal coupler.
 18. The interior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle according to claim 12, wherein said housing further includes aworkpiece holder for storing a workpiece in a location accessible by anoccupant of the vehicle whereby the workpiece can be inserted into orremoved from said workpiece holder for use by the occupant of thevehicle.
 19. An interior rearview mirror assembly system for a vehicle,said mirror assembly system comprising: an interior rearview mirrorassembly adapted for supporting one chosen from a notepad and aworkpiece, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing,a mirror reflective element and a support for adjustably mounting saidhousing to a vehicle, said mirror reflective element providing arearward field of view to a driver of the vehicle when said mirrorassembly is mounted to the interior portion of the vehicle, said housingbeing adjustable relative to the interior portion of the vehicle toadjust the rearward field of view of said mirror reflective element toprovide the driver with a driver-desired rearview field of viewgenerally rearward and through a rear window of the vehicle; aretractable cord, said retractable cord for use by an occupant of thevehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractable cord being atleast partially retractable into said interior rearview mirror assemblyand further being adapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system toprovide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system; and whereinsaid retractable cord is extendable and retractable between an extendedstate, where a user of said mirror assembly pulls said retractable cordat least partially outward from said housing for coupling to theaccessory, and a retracted state, where said retractable cord isretracted at least substantially into said housing.
 20. The interiorrearview mirror assembly system according to claim 19, wherein said onechosen from a note pad and a workpiece is located generally adjacentsaid reflective element.
 21. The interior rearview mirror assemblysystem according to claim 20, wherein said housing is adapted to supportsaid one chosen from a notepad and a workpiece.
 22. The interiorrearview mirror assembly system according to claim 21, wherein saidhousing includes a storage space generally adjacent said reflectiveelement for supporting a notepad.
 23. An interior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising: a housing, amirror reflective element and a support for mounting said housing to avehicle; and a retractable cord, said retractable cord for use by anoccupant of the vehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractablecord being adapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system via saidhousing to provide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system,wherein said retractable cord includes a coupler that is adapted forcoupling to the accessory, the accessory comprising one of a phone, acomputer, and fax machine.
 24. An interior rearview mirror assembly fora vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising: a housing, a mirrorreflective element and a support for mounting said housing to a vehicle;and a retractable cord, said retractable cord for use by an occupant ofthe vehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractable cord beingadapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system via said housing toprovide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system, whereinsaid retractable cord includes at least one fiber-optic cable.
 25. Aninterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said mirror assemblycomprising: a housing, a mirror reflective element and a support formounting said housing to a vehicle; and a retractable cord, saidretractable cord for use by an occupant of the vehicle for coupling toan accessory, said retractable cord being adapted to couple theaccessory to a vehicle system via said housing to provide a link betweenthe accessory and the vehicle system, wherein said retractable cordcomprises a universal serial bus cable.
 26. An interior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising: a housing, amirror reflective element and a support for mounting said housing to avehicle; and a retractable cord, said retractable cord for use by anoccupant of the vehicle for coupling to an accessory, said retractablecord being at least partially retractable into said housing and furtherbeing adapted to couple the accessory to a vehicle system via saidhousing to provide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system,wherein said housing includes a recessed portion, said retractable cordbeing at least partially retractable into said recessed portion, andwherein said retractable cord includes a coupler that is adapted forcoupling to the accessory, the accessory comprising one of a phone, acomputer, and fax machine.
 27. An interior rearview mirror assemblysystem for a vehicle, said mirror assembly system comprising: aninterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for supporting one chosen froma notepad and a workpiece; and a retractable cord, said retractable cordfor use by an occupant of the vehicle for coupling to an accessory, saidretractable cord being at least partially retractable into said interiorrearview mirror assembly and further being adapted to couple theaccessory to a vehicle system via said interior rearview mirror assemblyto provide a link between the accessory and the vehicle system, whereinsaid cord is adapted to couple to a vehicle antenna such that when aphone is coupled to said cord, said cord couples the phone to theantenna.